While the world focuses on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, tensions between Moscow and Tokyo are rising. Disagreement over who owns the Kuril Islands just off the coast of Hokkaido is one of the world's longest-running territorial disputes and has parallels with the Ukraine crisis.



Japan expressed regret Thursday after Russia signed into law a bill establishing a tariff-free zone on four Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.

The Russian move came as Tokyo and Moscow have been discussing a plan to hold joint economic activities on the islands, called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia, without harming the legal stance of either country.

"It is not in line with Japan's position on the four islands or the aim of the joint economic activities the two sides have been discussing. It is deplorable," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno at a regular news conference, adding Japan conveyed its position on the matter to Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested in September that Russia was seeking to attract foreign investment to the islands by exempting companies from key taxes, including corporate and property taxes.

The spat over the group of islets off Hokkaido has prevented the two nations from signing a postwar peace treaty. Japan maintains the former Soviet Union illegally seized the four islands while Russia claims they were obtained legally as a result of World War II.

https://www.dw.com/en/japan-angered-by-russias-plans-for-disputed-kurils/av-61084698

Putin should kukuma act the movie,"the last trouble"
Cos e be like say e wan just start all trouble once before e happen. "Wetin go happen?" I no know.
No ask me

What da heck is going on? Is Putin hell bent on destroying the earth by being provoked and also provoking other nations into a nuclear conflict? With the way things are unfolding, World War 3 is imminent.

Nna eh

I don't understand what has taken over Putin,all of a sudden he think he is the alpha and can bend any country to adhere to his rules, imagine him telling Sweden and Finland not to join NATO.

What's your business with another man's country,at least they didn't hurt you.
Mind your business and develop you own nation.

See comments above Nigerians are their one sided thinking,so you mean Putin should not fight for Russian territorial integrity because the world doesn't want war mtchewwwww.

Skooltynz:
See comments above Nigerians are their one sided thinking,so you mean Putin should not fight for Russian territorial integrity because the world doesn't want war mtchewwwww.

But Russia can violate territorial integrity of Ukraine. Continue ok

Maybe this is actually the fulfilment of the prophecies recorded in the Christian holy book........they may have been right all these while.

Skooltynz:
See comments above Nigerians are their one sided thinking,so you mean Putin should not fight for Russian territorial integrity because the world doesn't want war mtchewwwww.

Territorial integrity in Japanese Islands? What's ur problem.

boyfrank:


Territorial integrity in Japanese Islands? What's ur problem.

Bro I am surprise ooo. I think we have a lot of sadists on nairaland. They keep supporting tyranny

Dreamhighnow:


Bro I am surprise ooo. I think we have a lot of sadists on nairaland. They keep supporting tyranny

Many Africans have a pain complex, we now love been oppressed and also oppressing others. That's why many Africans immediately sides with Putin. Because they love a big bad man and Putin fits that description.

Putin self,u dey fight neto and other European countries,u warn Sweden and finland, u invade Ukraine and now u want to start 1915 and 1916 Russo and Japan war again