Japan has lodged a strong protest with Russia after Moscow reportedly banned foreign ships from exercising the right of ‘innocent passage’ near disputed islands in the Far East.
The islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories and in Russia as the Southern Kurils, have remained a constant source of friction between the two nations, standing in the way of a formal peace treaty since the end of World War II.
The dispute dates back to when Soviet forces seized four islands—Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and Habomai—that had been administered by Japan. While Moscow maintains the transfer was legitimised under postwar agreements, Tokyo continues to assert that the islands were illegally occupied.
According to Japan’s Sankei Shimbun, Russia’s suspension took effect Monday, barring foreign naval and government vessels ships not registered in Russia from passing through waters surrounding the southern Kuril Islands.
The ban also extends to parts of the sea east of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island.
Tokyo called the measure “unacceptable,” arguing it violates the spirit of international maritime law. The protest was lodged through diplomatic channels, Japan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed.
The ‘innocent passage’ under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which extends up to 13.8 miles (22.3 km) from the coastline, allows all vessels to transit through territorial waters as long as it does not threaten the coastal state’s peace or security.
Russia has cited scheduled firing exercises near Shikotan Island from October 10 to November 1 as justification. The drills coincide with Japan’s own nationwide defence exercises, a move seen by some analysts as a deliberate show of strength amid heightened tensions in the region.
The move also adds strain to a relationship already frozen by the war in Ukraine and Tokyo’s alignment with Western sanctions. Since 2022, Russia has suspended peace treaty talks with Japan.
According to the report, Russia has previously conducted military exercises around the southern Kuril Islands in April, June, July, and August. Japan protested, describing Russia’s latest actions as “incompatible” with its stance on the islands.
As tensions rise, Japan’s challenge will be balancing its U.S.-aligned security posture with the need to prevent the Kuril issue from becoming a flashpoint in an increasingly militarised Pacific.
