Former residents of islands off the coast of Hokkaido, driven off by a Soviet invasion at the end of World War II, want the government to convince Russia to allow them to visit their ancestral grave sites on the islands. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/22/japan/northern-territories-grave/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #hokkaido #russia #russiajapanrelations #sovietunion #wwii #kunashiri #etorofu #shikotan #habomai #northernterritories
Former residents of Russian-held islands claimed by Japan have held a memorial service at sea for their ancestors for the fourth straight year because they remain unable to land on the northwestern Pacific islands. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/21/japan/northern-territories-ex-residents-memorial/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #northernterritories #disputedislands #russiajapanrelations #russia #hokkaido