What is the Northern Territories issue?

The Northern Territories issue

"The Northern Territories issue" refers to the fact that four northern islands (Habomai, Shikotan, Kunashiri and Etorofu) that are parts of Japanese territory were invaded by the armed forces of the Soviet Union (today’s Russia) at the end of the Second World War and remain occupied by Russia without legal grounds.

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Overview of the Northern Territories

Four northern islands (Habomai, Shikotan, Kunashiri and Etorofu) located east of Hokkaido remain occupied by Russia without any legal grounds. These four islands, which belong to Japan, are referred to as the Northern Territories.

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History of the Northern Territories

Space-time Map　Learn about the Northern Territories beyond space and time.

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Looking at the history of the Northern Territories, from the northern exploration by the Edo shogunate to the treaty negotiations with Russia and the invasion and illegal occupation by the Soviet Union, it is clear that the four northern islands are Japanese territory. After the war, a movement for the return of these islands, which began with the wishes of former islanders, spread widely as the ardent wish of the Japanese people.

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Go to the history of the irredentist movement page

The Northern Territories described by former islanders: memories and historical testimonies

The 17,291 islanders who once lived on the four northern islands were expelled in the Soviet invasion. A history of hardship remains in the memories of the islanders, and their testimonies allow us to know the true history.

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