Context
Japan’s long standing dispute over the Kuril Islands with Russia has reignited following Russian authorities’ decision to allow a local farmer to appoint Chinese employees. The six employees, appointed by a Russian farmer at Kunashir, an island that is part of the Kurils, arrived on Sunday. All the employees have Russian work permits and are allowed to land on Kunashir, said the farm owner. The Japanese refer to the Kuril Islands as the Northern Territories. Condemning Russia’s actions, Japan’s NHK TV station said, “The Japanese government believes that such actions give legitimacy to Russia’s sovereignty over the islands, which Tokyo also lays claim to.”
