Putin Visits Disputed Kuril Islands, Drawing Japan's Diplomatic Protest

• Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the disputed Kuril Islands (claimed by Japan as Northern Territories), prompting Japan to lodge a strong diplomatic protest.
• The visit, which included stops at a fish plant, hospital, and school on Iturup, escalated tensions over the long-standing territorial dispute that has prevented a formal peace treaty between Russia and Japan since WWII.

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