Putin’s Iturup Visit Raises the Temperature in Japan–Russia Northern Territories Dispute
Putin’s August 2026 visit to Iturup Island, alongside Russian naval drills, has intensified the long-running Japan–Russia dispute over the Southern Kurils/Northern Territories. The source suggests Japan’s constrained energy position amid Middle East transit disruption limits Tokyo’s response options while Moscow benefits from heightened symbolism and coordinated messaging with China.