Kuril Islands

RUSSIA: RUSSIAN/JAPANESE DISPUTE OVER KURIL ISLANDS

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• published: 21 Jul 2015
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Russian/Nat At the far eastern edge of the Russian Federation, far closer to Tokyo than to Moscow, lie the tiny, yet disputed, Kuril Islands. The Japanese and the Russians have been arguing over the islands for years. But this week, during the first visit by a Japanese premier to Russia for twenty-five years, Keizo Obuchi and Boris Yeltsin signed an agreement which may lead to the end of the affair. But the islanders need much more than two signatures on a treaty to improve their lives. Many of them live in such poverty that even finding enough to eat is becoming a problem. Life is hard in the Kuril Islands. Lying off the Kamchatka Peninsula, the eastern coast of Russia, the tiny islands were seized as spoils by the then Soviet Union after World War Two and have, in name at least been Russian ever since. And because of its past, the territory has been a stumbling block in Russian and Japanese relations for more than fifty years. But those who live in the small territory have little in common with the average Muscovite; except for the all-embracing poverty which grips much of the Russian Federation. Until recently many buildings had no power and many islanders still have no electricity in their homes. And the Japanese seem to be doing more to help than the Russians. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) "It was the Japanese who brought light to the schools and now they are promising to give light to the hospital. But meanwhile all of these homes are without electricity. Can you imagine, our children do their homework at night by the light of candles or kerosene lamps. And so this is how we are living here -- like in the olden times." SUPERCAPTION: Alla Agayeva, resident of Shikotan Yet despite their proximity to Japan, one of the World's richest nations, the islanders' lack access to what any Tokyo resident would take for granted. And reports of the hardship have reached those in power at the Kremlin. Officials from the Ministry of Emergency Situations recently visited the islands to see the harsh conditions for themselves. The commission found a frightening lack of energy and even basic food supplies. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) "Our mission found that much of the Kuril Islands are suffering from an overall lack of life support systems, especially for the coming winter of 1998 and 1999. We noticed particularly bad conditions on the islands of Shakatan and Kunashir -- a deficit of energy and products." SUPERCAPTION: Commissioner Lakiton, Ministry of Emergency Situations And judging by the state of the machinery in the local power station, it will be some time before the inhabitants can begin to look forward to any home comforts. The islands have always been more culturally influenced by the Japanese than the Russians. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) "The Kurils are so very far from Russia and very very close to Japan. We always see Japanese influence, advertisements, television and we almost never see images of Russia. Russia can only be seen on two television stations. In terms of any real concrete relationship with Russia, for those living here it seems as if there is none. We only see Japan." SUPERCAPTION: Vladimir Zema, Mayor of the South Kuril Islands But over the years, the well-being of the islanders has had to take second place to the intricacies of international relations. The dispute over the islands has meant that incredibly, Russia and Japan have still not signed any agreement to end the hostilities of World War Two. But in a visit to Russia this week Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi agreed on a plan with President Yeltsin which might help bring an official end to the hostilities. Many islanders see the Japanese as their only escape route from hardship. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/00817316a4566c496f4e43af2014d60c Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork