Japannews.yomiuri, Editorial, August 14, 2026
When World War II was drawing to an end 81 years ago, the Soviet Union, the predecessor of today’s Russia, unilaterally violated its Neutrality Pact with Japan and invaded the northern territories.
Ahead of Saturday’s anniversary of the war’s end, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Etorofu Island in the northern territories for the first time. This move brings to mind the Soviet-era invasion. It is a malicious act intended to justify the illegal occupation of the northern territories and intimidate the Japanese people. China has criticized security policies and other measures taken by the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, calling them a “new militarism.” Putin likely aims to join China in stepping up pressure on Japan.
The four northern islands — Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai group of islets — are, both historically and under international law, an inherent part of Japanese territory. Putin’s outrageous visit is absolutely unacceptable. The Japanese government must stand firm in the face of such pressure and respond resolutely. When Putin met with Russian Navy personnel in the Sakhalin region a day before visiting Etorofu Island, he reportedly said the northern territories became Russian territory as a consequence of World War II.
Regarding the suspension of negotiations for a Japan-Russia peace treaty, Putin is said to have told those navy personnel that Russia had built constructive relations with Japanese leaders, including former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but Japan’s position is now changing. However, all these claims by Putin are off the mark. It is evident that Russia’s occupation of the northern territories goes even against international law.
The suspension of peace treaty negotiations was a unilateral decision made by Russia in response to Japan imposing sanctions against Moscow due to its aggression against Ukraine. It is the Russian side that has caused bilateral relations to deteriorate. It is only natural that Takaichi protested Putin’s visit, saying, “It hurts the public sentiment of the Japanese people and is absolutely unacceptable.”
Russia has attacked Ukraine and occupied some Ukrainian territory for more than four years. The Japanese government must persistently convey to the international community the fact that a brutal aggression took place in Japan as well in the final days of World War II. Given the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, Japan had recently been seeking to strengthen communication with Russia from the perspective of diversifying its energy sources.
In May, senior officials from the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry and others visited Russia to meet with Russian government officials. Their aim was reportedly to increase Japan’s imports of liquefied natural gas and oil produced under the Sakhalin-2 oil and natural gas development project in Russia, in which Japanese trading companies hold interests. Efforts to foster communication with Russia are not to be denied, but if Japan readily proceeds with this project, it could end up helping Moscow raise funds for its aggression against Ukraine.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 14, 2026)
