Putin first visited the disputed Kuril Islands - Japan protested

Russian ruler Vladimir Putin personally visited the Kuril Islands for the first time, arriving on Iturup. The island is controlled by Russia, but Japan considers it part of its territory. Tokyo has already lodged an official protest.

According to the Kremlin, on Iturup Putin inspected the Yasny fish processing plant, the district hospital and a school, and also met with the governor of Sakhalin Oblast, Valery Limarenko.

The trip took place as part of Putin's visit to Sakhalin Oblast. The day before, he observed the final stage of Pacific Fleet exercises and held a meeting on the security of Russia's eastern borders.

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Iturup and three other islands are an inseparable part of Japanese territory "both historically and in accordance with international law".

"Japan strongly protests against this visit", the foreign ministry's statement said.

The USSR established control over the southern part of the Kuril Islands in 1945. They are now part of Russia's Sakhalin Oblast. Japan claims Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and the Habomai group of islands, calling them its Northern Territories.

The territorial dispute remains the main reason why Russia and Japan have not yet concluded a peace treaty following World War II.

Based on materials from: Japan's Foreign Ministry, BBC