Japan strongly protests Putin's visit to disputed Kuril Islands

Japan expressed "strong protest" over Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, according to Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Thursday.

Motegi said in a statement using Japan's name for the islands: "The Northern Territories (...) are an inseparable part of Japanese territory, both historically and under international law, and the Japanese government strongly protests this visit."

Putin made his first visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, according to official media on Thursday, highlighting the archipelago located at the far east that is central to the dispute with Japan.

Official news agency TASS reported that Putin "visited the Kuril Islands for the first time" and inspected a command ship in the Pacific Fleet.