Kuril Islands: The Unresolved Russo-Japanese Territorial Dispute

The Kuril Islands, an archipelago stretching from Japan's Hokkaido Islands to Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, are pivotal to both nations due to their strategic, economic, and historical significance. The islands hold enormous strategic value for Russia, primarily in military terms. Located at the northern entrance of the Sea of Okhotsk, they act as a natural barrier, safeguarding Russia’s Pacific Fleet and providing a strategic advantage in naval operations. This positioning allows Russia to exert influence over maritime trade routes and maintain a strong defence posture in the North Pacific, which was historically crucial during the Cold War and continues into the present geopolitical landscape.

Geopolitically, control over the Kuril Islands enhances Russia's regional influence, allowing it to project power into East Asia amidst complex power dynamics involving China, Japan, and the United States. By maintaining sovereignty over the islands, Russia asserts itself as a key player in regional security architectures and balances competing interests to safeguard its strategic objectives.