The Kuril Islands controversy: Japan demanded the UN to change the new world map

Dispute around the Kuril Islands: Japan asked the UN to change the new world map

Japan has demanded that the UN change the new world map. According to Tokyo officials, the disputed Kuril Islands are incorrectly shown as belonging to Russia on this map.

The UN General Assembly voted to adopt a new world map last week. On this map, named "Equal Earth", the African continent is shown larger, while North America and Europe appear smaller. This situation was sharply criticized by the US.

According to the UN, the new map was designed to reflect the area of the continents much more accurately than the traditional Mercator map. Japan was among the 164 UN members that supported the resolution. However, the fact that the Kuril Islands, referred to in Japan as the "Northern Territories", were colored the same as Russia on the map caused Tokyo's objection.

Japanese government spokesperson Minoru Kihara said on September 10 that the new map contained a depiction contrary to the government's position.

"We have protested to the map operator through diplomatic channels, demanding that this error be corrected," Kihara told reporters.

He did not clarify when this issue came to the government's attention. However, he emphasized that Japan must prevent the spread of incorrect perceptions about its territories and geographical names.

The disputed islands were seized by the former Soviet Union in 1945. At that time, the Japanese population there was expelled. In August, Russian President Vladimir Putin made an unexpected visit to the islands. Following this, relations between the two countries strained.

Japan immediately summoned the Moscow ambassador. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Putin's visit insulted the feelings of the Japanese people and was absolutely unacceptable. She emphasized that the islands are an integral part of Japan, both historically and according to international law.

Moscow quickly responded to this statement. Russia stated that it considers such objections politically inappropriate, offensive, and legally groundless, and categorically rejects them.