The Kremlin Responded to Japan's Demand Regarding the Kuril Islands
Japan is demanding that the southern part of the Kuril Islands be labeled differently on the new “Equal Earth” world map used by the UN. The Kremlin rejected this demand, calling it “nonsense.” Japan considers the southern Kuril Islands to be its territory, while Russia controls the islands and claims rights to them.
Russia has responded to Japan’s demand to change the labeling of the southern Kuril Islands on the new “Equal Earth” world map. The Kremlin stated that it sees no grounds for such changes. The Japanese side’s demand is “nonsense.” “This is nonsense,” Ushakov said, commenting on Japan’s demand.
What Japan found unacceptable
This refers to the Equal Earth world map. It was created as an alternative way to depict the Earth’s surface without the significant distortion of territorial sizes seen on some traditional maps. On this map, the southern part of the Kuril Islands is colored the same as Russian territory. Thus, the islands are visually depicted as part of Russian territory. This is precisely what the Japanese government finds unacceptable.
Japan considers the southern Kuril Islands to be its territory and refers to them as the “Northern Territories.” These consist of four islands—Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and the Habomai Islands. After the end of World War II, these territories came under the control of the Soviet Union. Subsequently, they remained under Russian control. Japan, however, continued to assert its territorial claims.
The dispute has been ongoing for decades
The issue of the Southern Kuril Islands remains one of the main points of contention between Japan and Russia. Due to this territorial conflict, the two countries were unable to conclude a full-fledged peace treaty for a long time after World War II. In 1956, Moscow and Tokyo signed a joint declaration that restored diplomatic relations, but the dispute over the islands was never fully resolved.
For Japan, the issue of the islands has not only historical but also political significance. Tokyo regularly emphasizes that the Southern Kuril Islands should belong to Japan. Russia, however, rejects Japan’s claims and insists that its sovereignty over the islands is non-negotiable. Consequently, even the labeling of the islands on international maps can become a source of diplomatic disputes.
Why the Equal Earth map sparked a new controversy
In the case of Equal Earth, the issue is not about changing the actual borders on the ground, but about how the territories are labeled on the map. The Japanese side pointed out that the Southern Kuril Islands are colored the same as other Russian territories on the map. Tokyo wants this designation changed. The Russian side, on the other hand, disagrees with this approach. The Kremlin has effectively stated that it does not recognize Japan’s position on the status of the islands.
So far, there is no information on whether the Equal Earth map will be altered following the Japanese government’s request. Likewise, there has been no report of any UN decision on this matter. The dispute over the Kuril Islands has been ongoing for decades, and the latest situation with the map shows that the question of their status remains a sensitive issue for both countries. This is reported by Russian media, citing Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian dictator.
