Small island creates tension between Japan and Russia

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan expressed deep regret when Russian President Dmitry Medvedev landed on an island north of Japan, claimed by both Tokyo and Moscow on Monday. "Japan's stance is that those four northern islands are part of our country's territory, so the president's visit is very regrettable," said Kan. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov argues that the island is part of Russia. "The territory of the Russian Federation is the territory of the Russian Federation." The island is 10 miles from Japan's northernmost island, Hokkiado, and south of the Kamchatka Pennisula. The island natives rely on fishing for economic support. Japan, being a large fish consuming country, would gain a valuable resource if the island is returned. Russia has had control of the islands since the end of World War II. The island also has oil resources nearby with possible gold and silver deposits as well. In September, Medvedev announced that he would visit the island. Japan protested; Kan said he did not believe the visit would actually happen. The issue has prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty to end lingering hostilities from World War II.

written by Amy Mori