Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the island of Etorofu on Thursday, according to Russian state news agency Tass, in what the Japan Times described as his first-ever visit to the disputed island chain off the east coast of Hokkaido.
Putin visits disputed island of Etorofu off Hokkaido, Russian state media reports
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the island of Etorofu on Thursday, according to Russian state news agency Tass, in what the Japan Times described as his first-ever visit to the disputed island chain off the east coast of Hokkaido.
Etorofu is part of a group of islands off Hokkaido's east coast that have been occupied by Russia — and previously the Soviet Union — since the end of World War II. Japan claims the islands.
The Japan Times described the report as a developing story, with further updates expected.
- The source text supplied appears truncated; some material may be missing.
- The purpose or stated reason for Putin's visit to Etorofu is not given.
- No response or statement from the Japanese government regarding the visit is included.
- No details about the length, itinerary, or accompanying officials of the visit are provided.
- The broader diplomatic context of the Russia-Japan territorial dispute at the time of the visit is not addressed.
Read the original at The Japan Times