- 14 Mar 2002
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PM Takaichi criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin's first visit to the disputed island of Etorofu on Thursday, calling the trip "absolutely unacceptable". Russian state media reported that Putin had visited Iturup, known in Japan as Etorofu (択捉島), one of four Russian-held islands Japan claims as its Northern Territories (北方領土).
Takaichi told reporters that Putin's visit had further worsened Japanese sentiment towards Russia. She maintained that the islands were an inherent part of Japanese territory, both historically and under international law. Japan and Russia have been locked in the territorial dispute for decades. Soviet forces occupied the four islands in the closing days of the Second World War, and the disagreement remains the main reason Japan and Russia have never concluded a formal post-war peace treaty.
Takaichi told reporters that Putin's visit had further worsened Japanese sentiment towards Russia. She maintained that the islands were an inherent part of Japanese territory, both historically and under international law. Japan and Russia have been locked in the territorial dispute for decades. Soviet forces occupied the four islands in the closing days of the Second World War, and the disagreement remains the main reason Japan and Russia have never concluded a formal post-war peace treaty.
Japan PM Takaichi says Putin's visit to disputed Kuril islands 'absolutely unacceptable'
It was the first time the Russian leader had visited the Kuril islands, according to state media.