Japan has raised concerns about a new world map recently adopted by the United Nations, which shows the disputed Kuril Islands as part of Russia. The UN General Assembly voted to adopt the new map last Friday, which uses a different way of projecting the Earth's surface, known as the Equal Earth cartographic projection. This projection is designed to show landmasses more accurately in terms of size and shape compared to older maps like the Mercator projection. However, the map has drawn criticism, including from the United States, and Japan has now expressed its own concerns. Japan supported the resolution during the vote, with 164 UN members in favor. However, the country has now voiced objections to the way the map represents the Kuril Islands, which Japan refers to as the Northern Territories. Japanese government spokesperson Minoru Kihara said the map "contained a depiction contradicting the Japanese government’s position." Japan has officially protested through diplomatic channels, asking the map's operator to correct the portrayal. Kihara emphasized the need to prevent "misconceptions of our territories and geographical names from spreading." The disputed islands were occupied by the former Soviet Union in 1945, and the Japanese population was expelled. The issue has remained a point of contention between Japan and Russia for decades. Tensions escalated recently when Russian President Vladimir Putin made an unexpected visit to the islands for the first time, prompting Japan to summon Russia’s ambassador. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the visit "absolutely unacceptable" and said the islands are "an inherent part of Japan’s territory, both historically and under international law." Russia responded by rejecting Japan’s claims, calling them "politically inappropriate, insulting, and legally unfounded." The UN has defended the new map, stating it aims to offer a "more accurate representation" of the world’s landmasses. While the map is a technical tool for displaying geographical data, its depiction of territorial boundaries has reignited long-standing disputes. The situation highlights how maps, while seemingly neutral, can carry significant political and territorial implications, especially in regions with unresolved conflicts.