Residents of Russian-Held Isles Disputed by Japan Await Diplomatic Resolution

Reuters, 25/09 15:29 CET

By Hyun Oh

KUNASHIR, Kurile Islands (Reuters) – Russian residents of an island chain at the center of a dispute between Japan and Russia that has held up a treaty to formally end World War Two hope a diplomatic solution will lure tourists and investment to help refurbish rickety infrastructure.

Ties have been soured since the waning days of the war, when Soviet forces seized the Pacific islands known in Russia as the Southern Kuriles, but which Japan calls the Northern Territories, and forced out 17,000 Japanese residents.

In an effort to improve relations and narrow differences over the dispute, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to hold a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly next Monday.

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Source: Euronews