Russia summons Japan ambassador over disputed islands row

The Russian Foreign Ministry’s decision to summon Ambassador Muto came swiftly after Japan had lodged its own protest, summoning Russia’s ambassador in Tokyo to express its displeasure over President Putin’s August 13 visit to Iturup island, one of the four southern Kuril Islands claimed by both countries. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in a characteristically stern address to reporters on Monday, declared that Japanese officials had "crossed the line of decency" with their criticism of Putin’s trip. Lavrov further elaborated that Muto’s summons was intended to address "the conduct of the Japanese leadership" and provide a reminder on how ambassadors "should conduct themselves in the host country," signaling Russia’s unwavering stance on its sovereignty over the archipelago.

Initially, the diplomatic exchange took a curious turn when Russian officials reported that Ambassador Muto was seemingly unavailable, citing reasons ranging from being "not in Moscow" to being "unwell." This perceived evasion only fueled the Kremlin’s indignation. However, in a swift reversal following Lavrov’s public comments, Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova later informed state news agency TASS that the ambassador had "suddenly started feeling better" and would indeed attend the meeting on Tuesday, highlighting the pressure exerted by Moscow’s public rebuke.

The core of this enduring friction lies in the sovereignty of a chain of islands known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Kuril Islands in Russia. These islands—Iturup (Etorofu in Japanese), Kunashir (Kunashiri), Shikotan, and the Habomai archipelago—were seized by Soviet forces in the final days of World War II, just after Japan’s surrender in August 1945. Japan argues that these islands have historically been part of its territory, citing the 1855 Treaty of Shimoda which established the boundary between Japan and Russia. However, Russia asserts its legitimate claim based on the results of World War II and subsequent international agreements.

A critical point of contention stems from the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty, which Japan signed, renouncing all rights, titles, and claims to the Kuril Islands. Crucially, the Soviet Union did not sign this treaty, arguing it was an American-led initiative. Furthermore, Japan maintains that the four southern islands are not part of the Kuril chain mentioned in the treaty, thus not covered by its renunciation. This ambiguity has left the territorial question unresolved, preventing the signing of a formal peace treaty between Russia and Japan to this day.

Decades of diplomatic efforts have failed to bridge this divide. In 1956, the Soviet Union and Japan signed a Joint Declaration, restoring diplomatic relations and ending the state of war. In this declaration, Moscow offered to return Shikotan and the Habomai islets to Japan upon the conclusion of a formal peace treaty. However, Japan, under pressure from the United States, insisted on the return of all four islands, rendering the 1956 offer insufficient and stalling any progress towards a comprehensive resolution. Subsequent negotiations, particularly during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, have seen various proposals for joint economic activities or phased returns, but nationalistic sentiments on both sides have consistently hampered any breakthrough.

President Putin’s visit to Iturup island, an act symbolically asserting Russian sovereignty, is particularly provocative given the current geopolitical climate. Iturup, the largest of the disputed islands, hosts a significant Russian military presence, including an airfield and naval facilities, underscoring its strategic importance for Russia’s access to the Pacific Ocean. For Moscow, these islands serve as a vital geopolitical outpost, securing its Far Eastern borders and providing unfettered passage for its Pacific Fleet into the open ocean, free from potential chokepoints.

"This visit by President Putin is more than just a tour; it’s a calculated assertion of sovereignty, especially potent in the current international environment," commented Dr. Alistair Finch, a professor of East Asian studies at the London School of Economics. "With Russia facing unprecedented Western sanctions and isolation over Ukraine, demonstrating control over disputed territories like the Kurils sends a strong message domestically and internationally: Russia will not yield on what it considers its sovereign land, regardless of external pressure."

Indeed, the wider context of Russia-Japan relations has deteriorated significantly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Japan, a staunch ally of the United States and a member of the G7, has unequivocally condemned Russia’s aggression. It has joined other G7 nations in imposing extensive sanctions on Moscow, targeting key Russian banks, individuals, and industries, and has provided substantial financial aid and non-lethal defense assistance to Kyiv. This alignment with the West has placed Tokyo directly at odds with Moscow, shattering any remaining illusions of a possible diplomatic rapprochement on the territorial dispute.

Before 2022, there had been intermittent attempts to foster economic cooperation in the disputed territories, often proposed as a pathway to building trust and potentially paving the way for a peace treaty. These initiatives included joint ventures in fishing, aquaculture, and tourism. However, the current geopolitical chasm has rendered such efforts entirely moot. Moscow has since suspended visa-free travel for Japanese citizens to the islands, withdrawn from peace treaty talks, and designated Japan as an "unfriendly country," further solidifying the impasse.

From Japan’s perspective, the Kuril Islands dispute is not merely a historical grievance but a matter of national integrity and a significant impediment to its long-term security architecture. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government, while focused on strengthening its defense capabilities amid growing regional challenges from China and North Korea, cannot afford to ignore the Kuril issue, which resonates deeply with the Japanese public. The repeated calls for the return of the "Northern Territories" are a staple of Japanese foreign policy and a powerful domestic political issue.

"Japan finds itself in a difficult position," explained Dr. Elena Petrova, a geopolitical analyst specializing in the Indo-Pacific. "On one hand, its unwavering support for Ukraine and its alignment with the G7 against Russia is a principled stand. On the other, this stance has effectively frozen any dialogue on the Kurils, potentially indefinitely. Tokyo must balance its global responsibilities with its national interests, recognizing that a resolution to this territorial dispute now seems more distant than ever."

The geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific further complicates the situation. China’s growing military assertiveness and North Korea’s ballistic missile provocations mean Japan’s security focus is heavily concentrated on its southwestern flank. However, Russia’s consistent military activities in the Far East, including joint naval exercises with China, ensure that the northern front remains a point of concern. The Kuril Islands, strategically positioned, are integral to this broader regional security dynamic.

The summoning of Ambassador Muto, therefore, is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a much larger breakdown in bilateral relations. It reflects Russia’s hardened stance, its readiness to use diplomatic leverage aggressively, and its perceived need to assert its sovereign rights in the face of international criticism. For Japan, it represents a reaffirmation of its commitment to international law and its alliances, even if it means sacrificing immediate progress on a deeply cherished national goal.

As the diplomatic spat continues, with little prospect for a resolution in sight, the Kuril Islands remain a potent symbol of unresolved history and competing national aspirations. The absence of a formal peace treaty between Russia and Japan continues to cast a long shadow over their relationship, ensuring that any high-level visit or diplomatic statement regarding the islands will inevitably trigger a cycle of protest and counter-protest, perpetuating a cold peace in the Far East. The recent events serve as a stark reminder that even as the world grapples with new crises, the ghosts of past conflicts continue to shape contemporary international relations, with profound implications for regional stability and global order.