Kuril Islands
Context
Japan's diplomatic blue book for 2022 described Kuril islands as being under Russia's illegal occupation.
About
Kuril Islands are a set of four islands situated between the sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific ocean near the north of japan's northernmost prefecture, Hokkaido.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine seems to have brought to the forefront some other disputes that Russia has with the West’s allies.
Both Moscow and Tokyo claim sovereignty over them though the islands have been under Russian control since the end of world war -II.
History of the Kuril dispute
Japan's sovereignty over the islands is confirmed by several treaties
In 1855The Shimoda Treaty, gives Southern Kurils to Japan and the rest of the island chain to Russia. Sakhalin Island to be under joint administration.
In1875 the Treaty of St. Petersburg cedes all Kurils to japan in exchange for Russian jurisdiction over Sakhalin.
In 1905 After Russia's defeat in the Russo- Japanese War, Japan gains control of southern Sakhalin.
In 1945 the Soviet Union occupies the entire Kuril chain and southern Sakhalin after declaring war on Japan during the final days of World War II.
In 1951 Japan renounces its claim to Kurils in the Treaty of San Francisco, signed between Japan and the Allied powers. The Soviet Union does not sign and Japan later claims that the four southern islands are not part of the Kuril chain.
In 1956 the Soviet- Japanese Joint Declaration restores diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The Soviet Union agrees to cede the islands of Shikotan and Habomai to Japan after the signing of a formal peace treaty.
Japan claims territorial rights to all four Southern islands, so no agreement is signed.
Attempts at Resolution
- Since 1991, there have been many attempts to resolve the dispute and sign a peace treaty.
- Both countries had agreed to have bilateral negotiations.
- Japan's attempt to improve ties with Russia was driven by its need to diversify its basket of buyers and bring in foreign investments.
- Japan has probably been moved by its fears of a Russia- China alliance as Japan itself has territorial disputes and an insecure history with china.
- Japan might have felt that this is a good opportunity to further isolate Russia and paint it as a habitual offender of international law.
- Tokyo might have been prompted to take this position as it feels that the invasion of Ukraine proves that getting back the Kuril Islands is a lost cause.
- Japan's policy shift on the Kuril islands will only embitter bilateral relations with Russia.
- There is a possibility of its two neighbours, China and Russia, coming together against it.
