Kuril Islands Dispute

Why in News?

Recently, Russian President visited Iturup Island in August, 2026. Japan strongly protested the visit.

• It was the first visit by a Russian President to the disputed islands since 2010.

Geographical features

• The Kuril Islands are a volcanic island chain in the North Pacific Ocean.
• They stretch for about 1,200 km between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean, close to Japan’s Hokkaido.
• Russia currently administers the islands as part of the Sakhalin Region.
• Japan claims four islands — Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai.
  • Japan calls these islands the Northern Territories.
  • Russia calls them the Southern Kurils.

Iturup is the largest of the four islands claimed by Japan.

Historical background of dispute

• The dispute began after the Soviet Union occupied the islands at the end of World War II and Japanese residents were expelled.
• Japan uses treaties such as the Shimoda Treaty (1855), St. Petersburg Treaty (1875) and Portsmouth Treaty (1905) to support its claim.
• Russia refers to the Yalta Agreement and Potsdam Declaration (1945) to support its control over the islands.
• Russia also argues that Japan gave up its claims to the Kuril Islands under the San Francisco Treaty (1951).
• Japan rejects this argument because the Soviet Union did not sign the San Francisco Treaty.
• The dispute has prevented Russia and Japan from signing a formal post-World War II peace treaty.
• Strategic importance – The islands are important because of their strategic location, fishing resources and military significance.

Reference

The Hindu| Kuril Islands Dispute