Japan muted on Putin's disputed-islands visit as US intentions remain murky

International relationsTakaichi takes no concrete action after provocative act by Russian leaderRussian President Vladimir Putin, left, visited the southern Kuril Islands on Aug. 13, drawing a protest from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, right. © KyodoRUKA SHINOZAKIAugust 22, 2026 02:54 JSTTOKYO -- More than a

TOKYO: Japan said on Friday (Aug 21) it had protested against Russia's notification that Moscow would conduct missile tests off disputed islands visited by President Vladimir Putin earlier this month.Bilateral relations have long been dogged by the Kuril islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories and seized in

The Pacific Fleet conducted a Bastion missile test just days after Putin's visit to the islands prompted Tokyo to summon Russia's ambassador to Japan and drew a US statement of support for Japanese sovereignty.

Pacific fleet launched missile drills near what Moscow calls the Kuril Islands but Japan regards as its Northern Territories Japan has criticised missile tests carried out by Russia’s navy around the disputed islands visited by Vladimir Putin last week amid continuing tensions between the two countries. Russia’s Pacifi

Russia’s Pacific Fleet said on Thursday it has conducted a missile test off a group of Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands amid an intensifying row over the disputed territory following President Vladimir Putin’s first-ever visit there last week. While it was unclear exactly when the test was carried out, the announ

The body of Grand Prince Donskoy surprised historians, who had believed it ⁠was located elsewhere in the building

Donskoy, who died in 1389 aged 39, ruled the principalities of Muscovy and Vladimir, which would later become the core of the Russian state.

Putin visits newly unearthed remains of medieval Russian prince  Reuters

MOSCOW, Aug 20 - President Vladimir Putin inspected on Thursday the open sarcophagus of medieval warrior prince Dmitry Donskoy, whose remains were recently uncovered during restoration work at Moscow's Cathedral of the Archangel.

Pakistan says the comments contradict Washington’s position, but experts see them as a diplomatic misstep.

The Kuril Islands/Northern Territories have been a constant thorn in Japan-Russia relations. Putin just made it worse.

Japan is weighing how far to push back after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a disputed island last week, as analysts debate whether tougher measures would have much impact on Moscow. Some observers urged Japan to recall its ambassador, impose additional sanctions and deepen cooperation with Ukraine to show it

MOSCOW (Kyodo) -- Japan's ambassador to Russia appeared at the Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday after being summoned amid a spat over disputed isla