Japan to study Russia's plan to name Kuril islands
.com/kosinskaya The Japanese government will examine the details of Russia's plans to name the intelligence officer Richard Sorge and artilleryman Ivan Rublenko two nameless islands of the Small Kuril Islands chain, and then give an answer.
Consensus
- Japan will examine Russia's proposal to name unnamed islands in the Lesser Kuril Ridge after Richard Zorge and Ivan Rublenko.
- The Russian Geographical Society's Sakhalin branch conducted an expedition to the Lesser Kuril Ridge in early July 2026.
- The expedition installed commemorative plaques on two unnamed islands with the names of Zorge and Rublenko.
- Japan refers to the southern Kuril Islands as 'Northern Territories' and claims sovereignty over Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and the Habomai group.
- Russia considers the southern Kuril Islands part of its territory and maintains that its sovereignty is internationally recognized.
- The Japanese government stated it will first verify the facts before deciding on a response based on its official position on the Northern Territories.
Points of divergence
- The idea to name the island after Zorge was proposed by the Sakhalin branch of the Russian Geographical Society as early as 2017. — tg_echoonline_news
- Russia's Foreign Ministry representative Maria Zakharova accused Hiroshima's mayor Kazumi Matsui of 'Russophobia' during the anniversary of the atomic bombing, citing his mention of Russia's invasion of Ukraine but not the U.S. — vm
- Zakharova stated that relations between Moscow and Tokyo have reached a point of no return due to Japan's clumsy actions. — vm
- Andrey Rudenko, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, said resumption of contacts with Japan is possible only if Tokyo abandons its hostile anti-Russian course with concrete measures. — m24
- Rudenko stated that relations have been set back by decades due to Japan's actions, including militarization and military-technical aid to Ukraine. — m24
Coverage (6 sources)
- Japan will study the Russian initiative to name a Kuril island after the spy Zorge — ЭХО / Новости
- In Japan they will respond to Russia's plans to name the islands of the Southern Kurils after Zorge and Rublenko, said cabinet secretary Minoru Kihara... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Japan will study the plan to name the Kuril Islands after Zorge and Rublenko — Коммерсантъ
- Japan will study the naming of Zorge Island in the Small Kuril Islands group — Вечерняя Москва
- Japan will study the plan to name one of the Southern Kuril Islands after Zorge — Вести
- Japan will study Russia's plans to name Kuril Islands after Sorge and Rublenko — Москва 24