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Japan Wants Its “Northern Territories” Back
Yesterday, the Japanese government reacted to Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement of the previous day that the Southern Kuril Islands, which are claimed by Japan, are under the sovereignty of the Russian Federation as a result of World War II, which is recognized by international law, and Russia will take account of that fact in its negotiations with Japan over them.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi commented yesterday that conclusion of a peace treaty with Russia will be possible only with a decision on the possession of the four Southern Kuril Islands. While acknowledging that Russia has a different view of the problem, the prime minister said that Japan will continue to insist on their return. He suggested that Putin wanted to express his views before negotiations when he visits Tokyo in December. The prime minister also noted that the problem should be settled exclusive through negotiations. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda mentioned that the USSR seized the island and expelled the Japanese population there when it declared war on Japan on August 8, 1945. He repeated that Japan intends to see the islands returned to it from Russia.
www.kommersant.com
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