International relationsJapan muted on Putin's disputed-islands visit as US intentions remain murky
Takaichi takes no concrete action after provocative act by Russian leader
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, visited the southern Kuril Islands on Aug. 13, drawing a protest from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, right. © Kyodo
RUKA SHINOZAKI
August 22, 2026 02:54 JST
TOKYO -- More than a week since Russian President Vladimir Putin visited disputed islands, the Japanese government has not announced any diplomatic or economic countermeasures, stymied by a lack of clarity in how Washington plans to approach Moscow and by fears about increased Russian military cooperation with China and North Korea.