Tokyo: Japan has accused Russia of illegally occupying its Northern Territory, the Kuril Islands. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, the Japanese government has mentioned this in its ‘Diplomatic Bluebook’. Japan has sanctioned Russia, which invaded Ukraine. Thus, this has developed a strain between Japan and Russia. In this situation, it is claimed that Japan’s stance over the issue of Kuril Island, alongside Russia, would prove even more controversial.
A few weeks ago, Japan discussed with Russia and proposed peace talks to resolve the issue of the Kuril Islands. But, Russia dismissed this proposal. Moreover, it conducted a military exercise in the region of the Kuril Islands. Japan and the United States had slammed this Russian military exercise. This incident hardly completed a month and Japan appears to have challenged Russia by making this crucial announcement about the Kuril Islands.
As Japan has mentioned in its Bluebook, the Southern part of the Kuril Islands is the land of Japan. The Japanese government has adopted such a stance regarding the Kuril Islands for the first time since 2011. Besides, the Japanese press has cited that Japan has published such a claim in its book for the first time since 2003. 
A few days ago, Russia had denied offering a part of the Southern Kuril Islands to the Japanese civilians. Simultaneously, Russia had declared to withdraw from space cooperation with Japan. Hence, it is being claimed that Japan has responded following that.
Furthermore, Japan also sanctioned Russia after Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia is responding to this stance of Japan, which has been siding with European nations and the United States. In this situation, Japan appears to have incited Russia by striking the argument about the Kuril Islands. However, the Japanese press has opined that Japan must not strain its relations with Russia by raising the issue of the Kuril Islands. Moreover, the Japanese media has expressed that China will take undue advantage of the Japan-Russia strain.
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