Putin visits disputed Kuril Islands, Japan protests

• Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup island in the disputed Kuril Islands.
• Japan's foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi strongly protested the visit, asserting the islands are Japanese territory.
• The Kuril Islands dispute has prevented Russia and Japan from signing a formal World War Two peace treaty.
• Putin toured a fish-processing plant and sampled local fish roe during his visit.
• Russia plans to name an island in the Lesser Kurils after Soviet intelligence officer Richard Sorge.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup, an island in the disputed Kuril Islands chain claimed by both Russia and Japan. This visit marks Putin's first personal trip to the island chain, which Japan calls the Northern Territories. The territorial dispute has prevented the two nations from signing a formal World War Two peace treaty. During his visit, Putin toured the Yasny fish-processing plant and sampled local fish roe. Images showed the president observing fish and discussing fishing activities. The visit follows recent tensions, including Japan's diplomatic protest over Russian military exercises involving approximately 60 warships, 30 aircraft, and over 13,000 servicemen in the region. Russia also plans to name an uninhabited island in the Lesser Kurils after Soviet intelligence officer Richard Sorge.