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Russia summons Japanese envoy after Putin visits disputed Etorofu Island
Diplomatic tensions between Russia and Japan have escalated following President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Etorofu (Iturup) Island on August 13, 2026. The visit to the disputed Kuril Islands prompted a formal protest from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who described the move as “absolutely unacceptable” and asserted that the islands are an inherent part of Japanese territory.
In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto. While initial reports suggested Muto could not attend due to being out of the country or unwell, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova later stated that the ambassador “suddenly felt much better” and would attend the meeting on Tuesday. During the meeting, which reportedly lasted approximately 25 minutes, Russian officials lodged a formal protest against the “anti-Russian” statements made by Japanese leadership.
The long-standing territorial dispute involves four islands seized by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II. This recent friction occurs against a backdrop of deteriorating bilateral relations following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Japan supporting G7 sanctions against Moscow.
Entities
Akira Muto · Japan · Kuril Islands · Russia · Russia · Sanae Takaichi · Sergei Lavrov · Vladimir Putin
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [DISPUTED] Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto attended a meeting at the Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday following a summons. japannews24.com · newscentraltv.com · en.protothema.gr · thecitizenng.com · wydarzenia.interia.pl · +2 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto would attend the summons after suddenly feeling better. www.japantimes.co.jp · japannews24.com · newscentraltv.com · en.protothema.gr · thecitizenng.com · +4 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] President Vladimir Putin visited the disputed Etorofu (Iturup) Island on August 13, 2026. www.japantimes.co.jp · japannews24.com · uppercrescent.jugem.jp · lokalno.mk · newscentraltv.com · +7 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described President Putin’s visit to the disputed islands as absolutely unacceptable. www.japantimes.co.jp · japannews24.com · uppercrescent.jugem.jp · www.index.hr · www.kyivpost.com · +9 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Japanese officials crossed the line of decency in their criticism of President Putin’s visit. www.japantimes.co.jp · japannews24.com · thecitizenng.com · wojna.co.pl · newscentraltv.com · +7 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Japan summoned the Russian ambassador to protest Putin's visit to the Kuril Islands. www.japantimes.co.jp · uppercrescent.jugem.jp · lokalno.mk · newscentraltv.com · en.protothema.gr · +7 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] President Vladimir Putin visited Etorofu (Iturup) Island on August 13, 2026. cronica.com.gt · japannews24.com · gulfnews.com · www.politika.rs