Kuril Islands dispute
The Kuril Islands dispute is a territorial disagreeent between Japan and Russia over the Kuril Islands. The Japanese government is asking for the restoration of Etorofu island, Habomai islands, Kunashiri island, and the Shikotan island which are under the control of Russia since 1945, after Japan lost World War Two.
Kuril Islands Dispute Media
Southern Kuril islands seen from the International Space Station
A 1939 map of the Pacific Rim. Dates shown indicate approximate time that the various powers gained control of their possessions
Japanese Iturup residents (then called Etorofu) and a Buddhist temple (before 1939)
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met local residents in Yuzhno-Kurilsk, 1 November 2010
Japanese people visiting their family graves on Tanfiliev Island (Suishō-jima), one of the Habomai Islands, 2008
Other websites
- The history of the Kuril Islands dispute- Sputnik News