Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 13 visited Etorofu/Iturup Island, one of the four Northern Territories claimed by Japan in the Kuril Islands, which Russia has occupied since just after World War II, Reuters reported. The same day, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the visit, which was Putin's first visit to the islands since he became president in 2000, "has further worsened anti-Russian sentiment within Japan and made it difficult to restore relations in the medium to long term."