Russia's Pacific Visit Sparks Tensions with Japan Over Disputed Territory

The Indo-Pacific region could again become a battleground between the world's major powers. Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 13 made his first visit to the islands in the Pacific Ocean that are also claimed by Japan. Japan has been fuming since Putin's visit. Russian state media reported that the president visited the Kuril Islands and met with the regional governor. Japan immediately objected to his visit and said the move was not acceptable. Japan said Putin's visit could make it more difficult to mend already strained relations between the two countries. Let's see what this whole dispute is about. Russia controls the largest island in the Kuril Islands in the Pacific. It is the center of a major dispute between Russia and Japan. Japan calls it'Etorofu'and claims it as part of Japan's'World War II'dispute with the Soviet Union.