‘Absolutely unacceptable’: Japan condemns visit by Vladimir Putin to disputed Kuril Islands

Vladimir Putin at a fish processing plant on the disputed Kuril Islands. Photograph: Gavriil Grigorov/Reuters

The Japanese government has reacted angrily to Vladimir Putin’s first visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, which are claimed by both Tokyo and Moscow.

Japan’s foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, summoned the Russian ambassador Nikolay Nozdrev, while the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, called Putin’s actions “absolutely unacceptable”.