Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly criticized Japan over contentious historical issues. Despite the specifics of Putin's criticisms being unclear from the headline, this represents a rare instance of Putin directly addressing Japanese affairs, and comes amidst strained diplomatic relations between the two nations. Details about the exact nature of the historical issues Putin has criticized, and how Japan and the international community have responded to these criticisms, are yet to be clarified.

The nature of Japan's historical issues that have drawn Putin's criticisms are unknown from the headline alone. In Japan, various historical issues have been known to spark diplomatic conflicts with its neighbors. These include territorial disputes, the legacy of World War II, and differing interpretations of historical events. The way Japan addresses these issues is often critiqued domestically and internationally, affecting the nation's foreign relations.

In the US or EU, criticism of another country's handling of historical issues by a head of state would be taken very seriously. It could potentially spark diplomatic tensions and lead to further scrutiny of the criticized nation's historical narratives. Often require diplomatic strategies and negotiation to manage such controversies.