Former residents of four islands off Hokkaido that were seized from Japan by Russia in the last days of World War II greeted with cautious optimism Friday's announcement that efforts would be made to simplify visits to their ancestor's gravesites. They also offered specific suggestions on what such efforts could be.
In August 1945, the then-Soviet Army's invasion of Kunashiri, Etorofu, Shikotan and the Habomai islet group, known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia, forced 17,291 Japanese to relocate to other parts of the country. The islands, which are within sight of the many places along Hokkaido's eastern coastline, have remained under Russia's possession since.
Today, only about 6,300 of the original residents are alive, and their average age is over 81. Along with family members, they are allowed to visit their ancestors' graves on the islands under a special arrangement between the two countries.