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Japan Protests UN Map Over Kuril Islands Labeling

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 6:49 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Japan Demands Map Revision

Japan demanded the United Nations revise the world map that labels the disputed Kuril Islands as Russian.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Japan lodged a diplomatic protest to force the map correction.
UN Assembly adopted the Equal Earth map on September 4 with 164 votes for and the United States against.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called President Vladimir Putin’s August 2026 Iturup visit unacceptable and cited Russian missile exercises nearby.

Summary

Patterson Defends Map

Mapmaker Tom Patterson said he consulted U.S. government maps when designing the Equal Earth projection.
Patterson explained that maps must show factual control even if the depiction is politically undesirable.
The Equal Earth map is offered online free of charge, accessible to anyone worldwide.

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Japan Demands Map Revision

Japan demanded the United Nations revise the world map that labels the disputed Kuril Islands as Russian.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Japan lodged a diplomatic protest to force the map correction.
UN Assembly adopted the Equal Earth map on September 4 with 164 votes for and the United States against.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called President Vladimir Putin’s August 2026 Iturup visit unacceptable and cited Russian missile exercises nearby.

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