[Anchor]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the Kuril Islands, which are subject to a territorial dispute with Japan, for the first time. Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi has reacted with immediate fury to the move targeting Japan, escalating military tensions in Northeast Asia.

This is correspondent Mun Junmo reporting from Tokyo.

[Reporter]

Russian President Vladimir Putin directly visited Iturup Island in the southern part of the Kuril Islands today (the 13th) to inspect the Russian fleet.

This is the area where Japan calls the Northern Territories and is embroiled in a territorial dispute with Russia.

This marks the first time Putin has traveled to the Kuril Islands, signaling a clear move targeting Japan.

[Vladimir Putin / Russian President : Japan has designated Russia as a major threat in its defense white paper for the first time. We have never threatened anyone.]

Prime Minister Takaichi called an impromptu press conference to lodge a strong protest.

[Sanae Takaichi / Japanese Prime Minister (This afternoon) : The Northern Territories are an inherent territory of Japan, both historically and under international law. This is an act that worsens anti-Russian sentiment within Japan and makes it difficult to restore mid- to long-term relations.]

The Soviet Union, the predecessor of Russia, occupied this region near the end of World War II in 1945, expelling Japanese residents and stationing troops.

Although the population is only 20,000, the area is rich in mineral resources such as gold and silver, as well as fisheries resources.

Putin's visit to this region, which is under Russia's effective control, is seen as an intention to keep Japan, which supports Ukraine, in check.

Prime Minister Takaichi sent a message to a meeting of Western leaders held in Paris, France, last month, stating that Japan would continue its support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.

Expressing his displeasure yesterday, Putin stated, "Japan has imposed unilateral sanctions on Russia without properly grasping the root cause of the Ukrainian crisis."

The Russian military, alongside the Chinese military, has gradually heightened military tensions by deploying bombers over the high seas south of Japan in June and conducting a joint naval drill in the waters southwest of Okinotorishima last month.

(Camera footage: Han Chul-min, Moon Hyun-jin | Video editing: Wi Won-yang | Design: Kang Yoon-jung)