Japan designates the Kuriles as "illegally occupied" by Russia

For the first time since 2003, Tokyo has officially designated the “Northern Territories” (as the Japanese call the Kuril Islands) as “illegally occupied” by Moscow in the Blue Book of Diplomacy for 2022.

In addition, for the first time since 2011, a definition appeared in the book that these islands are territory "belonging to Japan".

Japan's position on the Kuriles has remained unchanged for many years, and the wording in the Blue Book changes depending on the degree of tension between the two countries. To date, Japan has imposed sanctions against Russia because of Moscow's special operation in Ukraine.