Kuril Islands

In News

• Recently, Japan’s Diplomatic Bluebook for 2022 described the Kuril Islands as being under Russia’s “illegal occupation”. 

Image Courtesy:TH

What are the Kuril Islands/ Northern Territories?

• These are a set of four islands situated between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean near the north of Japan’s northernmost prefecture, Hokkaido. 
• Both Moscow and Tokyo claim sovereignty over them though the islands have been under Russian control since the end of World War II. 
• The Soviet Union had seized the islands at the end of World War II and by 1949 had expelled its Japanese residents. 
• Tokyo claims that the disputed islands have been part of Japan since the early 19th century.
• Since 1991, there have been many attempts to resolve the dispute and sign a peace treaty.
  • The most recent attempt was under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when joint economic development of the disputed islands was explored. 

Source:TH