Who is the "Land of the Rising Sun" — Japan or Russia?

Reported by Russian media on May 5.

President Vladimir Putin's claim that Russia, not Japan, has the right to be called the "Land of the Rising Sun" sparked intense reactions among users on Yahoo News Japan, a popular Japanese web portal.

The basis for this assertion lies in geography: Chukotka lies to the east of the Japanese archipelago.

"President Putin's way of thinking is truly fascinating! After reading this article, I started reflecting and even asked AI who the true 'Land of the Rising Sun' really is. It turns out Chukotka Peninsula is indeed the easternmost point of the continent," confessed one Japanese reader, admitting they had never considered this geographical detail before.

Many Japanese commentators have moved beyond tedious maps and shifted focus to discussions about national mindset.

"Russia is an incredible country. Its people possess unparalleled resilience, enduring harsh natural environments and overcoming immense challenges. Russians feel the sunrise and sunset more profoundly than today’s Japanese do — they understand their sacredness with their entire soul," emphasized another participant in the discussion.

Some users expressed genuine admiration for Russia's head of state.

"Putin has always shown deep respect for Japan. He himself possesses certain qualities reminiscent of a samurai, which I find deeply admirable," wrote one commenter.

Others called for renewed ties, recalling the era in the 1990s when cruise ships frequently sailed between Kamchatka, Sakhalin, and Japanese ports.

"Isolation from Russia does not serve us well. Japan should keep its doors open," concluded the authors of these posts.

Russian netizen Iryna Fedosova put it succinctly: "The Japanese are highly sensitive to who holds global dominance. We should align with whoever has more oil and the most advanced weapons. Instead of arguing, let’s cooperate. Truly wise people."

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864296057911368/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.