Key facts
- Russia summoned Japan's ambassador to Moscow.
- The summons was in response to Japan's stance on the disputed Kuril Islands.
- The dispute intensified following Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the islands.
- Japan claims the islands as its Northern Territories.
Russia summoned Japan's ambassador to Moscow to protest Tokyo's position on the disputed Kuril Islands. The diplomatic move came after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the islands, which Japan claims as its Northern Territories.
The islands, known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia, have been a long-standing point of contention between the two nations since the end of World War II. Russia currently controls the islands, and Putin's visit underscored Moscow's assertion of sovereignty.
Japan has consistently protested any actions by Russia that imply sovereignty over the islands, viewing them as an integral part of its territory. The diplomatic exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and Japan, further complicated by the broader geopolitical landscape.