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Sapporo– With Russias intrusion of Ukraine negatively impacting settlements in between Japan and Russia over a territorial row between the 2 nations, former locals of the disputed islands off the east coast of Hokkaido have voiced earnest hopes of keeping their right to set foot in their hometowns.In response to Japanese sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, Russia unilaterally revealed a halt to peace treaty talks with Japan and a suspension of a program that allowed visa-free sees by Japanese individuals to the 4 Russian-held islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories.” I was prepared for diplomatic retaliation, however Im angry at the one-sided announcement,” stated Yuzo Matsumoto, an 80-year-old who lived in Etorofu, one of the four islands claimed by Japan.The graves of Matsumotos grandfather and granny are on Etorofu, but Matsumoto has actually not been able to visit them since 2020 as the visa-free go to program was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tokyo and Moscow remain not able to conclude a peace treaty to officially end their wartime hostilities due to the territorial row.Hiroshi Tokuno, an 88-year-old who is from Shikotan and has continued retelling stories about the Northern Territories for half a century, has gotten involved in exchanges with Russian locals of the islands over 30 times.Tokuno said he has lots of Russian friends in Shikotan however has actually been not able to see them in individual due to the pandemic.Noting that Russias newest decision came on top of the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, Tokuno stated he misses out on the exchange program.
Sapporo– With Russias invasion of Ukraine adversely affecting settlements in between Japan and Russia over a territorial row in between the 2 countries, previous locals of the contested islands off the east coast of Hokkaido have actually voiced earnest hopes of keeping their right to set foot in their hometowns.In response to Japanese sanctions versus Russia over the war in Ukraine, Russia unilaterally revealed a stop to peace treaty talks with Japan and a suspension of a program that enabled visa-free sees by Japanese people to the 4 Russian-held islands, understood in Japan as the Northern Territories.” I was prepared for diplomatic retaliation, but Im upset at the one-sided statement,” said Yuzo Matsumoto, an 80-year-old who lived in Etorofu, one of the 4 islands claimed by Japan.The tombs of Matsumotos grandpa and granny are on Etorofu, but Matsumoto has actually not been able to visit them because 2020 as the visa-free see program was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tokyo and Moscow remain not able to conclude a peace treaty to formally end their wartime hostilities due to the territorial row.Hiroshi Tokuno, an 88-year-old who is from Shikotan and has actually continued retelling stories about the Northern Territories for half a century, has actually participated in exchanges with Russian homeowners of the islands over 30 times.Tokuno stated he has many Russian pals in Shikotan however has been not able to see them in person due to the pandemic.Noting that Russias newest decision came on top of the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, Tokuno said he misses the exchange program.
