Japan protests Russian missile tests off disputed islands
Japan has formally protested Russia's conduct of missile tests near the disputed Kuril Islands. The exercises follow a visit to the islands by President Vladimir Putin, further straining bilateral relations already impacted by the conflict in Ukraine.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing territorial disputes and deteriorating diplomatic relations between Japan and Russia in the context of the broader global conflict.
Japan said Friday (August 21, 2026) it had protested against Russia's notification that Moscow would conduct missile tests off disputed islands visited by President Vladimir Putin earlier this month.
Bilateral relations have long been dogged by the Kuril islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories and seized in 1945 by the Soviet Union which then expelled the Japanese population.
"We lodged a protest in response to the notification about the plan to conduct a missile test" off the islands, a Japanese government spokesman told AFP .
Russia's Pacific Fleet said Thursday (August 20, 2026) it had already conducted the missile test, although it was unclear when it took place.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in