Putin’s visit to disputed Island sparks Japan protest

TOKYO: Russia-Japan tensions over the disputed Kuril Islands intensified Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup, known as Etorofu in Japan, drawing a strong protest from Tokyo. Putin traveled to the island after overseeing Russian naval exercises in the Far East and visited the Yasny fish-processing plant, where he met local residents and sampled fish roe, Russian state media reported. According to TASS, it was Putin’s first visit to any of the disputed Kuril Islands. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi condemned the visit, saying the Northern Territories, including Etorofu, are Japan’s inherent territory under history and international law. Prime…