Takaichi Condemns Putin's Northern Territories Visit

Aug 14, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on August 13 condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the Northern Territories, saying it was "absolutely unacceptable," while Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned Russia's ambassador to Japan and lodged a strong protest.

"The visit is incompatible with Japan's consistent position regarding the Northern Territories," Takaichi said. "It also hurts the feelings of the Japanese people and is absolutely unacceptable."

Takaichi stressed that Japan had "made every possible effort" in managing relations with Russia, but said Putin's visit had further complicated the outlook for bilateral ties.

"We have to say that this has made it more difficult to restore relations over the medium to long term," she said.

Takaichi added that she wanted the Russian side to take the seriousness of the matter fully into account.

Motegi also summoned Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolai Nozdrev to the Foreign Ministry on August 13 and strongly protested Putin's visit to the disputed islands.

Source: TBS

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