Japanese former residents make 1st trip by air to Russian-held isles

The "Russian bear" would never be stupid enough to let these important islands (Kunashiri, Iturup, Shikotan, Habomai) that binds the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk go to Japan, only to sign a peace treaty. The countries are at peace, so why rush to sign a symbolic peace treaty?

I believe the "Japanese crane" has been lured into the cage by the cynical "Russian bear". The "Japanese crane" is generous by peacefully offering treats in return for the islands, while the "Russian bear" only eat the treats and walks away without returning the islands.

68 people only 17 former residents.

I would like to ask for a follow-up feature to be posted containing as many photographs as possible. This is an interesting part of history that should not be forgotten

It is nice the former residents can visit their family graves.

68 people only 17 former residents.

And? Obviously former residents are older than 70 years old. Many would want younger family members to go with them, and perhaps some children of theirs and grandchildren also want to go to both pay respects and see the place their older relatives once lived in.

@ GoodlucktoyouToday  08:43 pm JST

'68 people only 17 former residents.'

Sure, why not? Those former residents have newer families, thus there's more than the original 17.

Easy-peasy.

The title is grossly misleading. Not one single of the residence of those islands who left is still alive today.

the descended of those are still alive and should led the past be past.

My family was from Königsberg, East Prussi, which is called Kaliningrad today and part Of Russia.

They left as all German were forced to abandon East Prussia, most left to what is today's Germany and some went to Russian inner territory.

But all had to leave East Prussia.

in 1994 I believe it was, under Putin his first term and as Schröder was the Chancelor of Germany, Russia made an offer to return East Prussia to Germany as it was agreed on in the post WWII treaty to happen upon German Reunification.

Germany let go of the claim and such was a wise decision.

We cannot undo a wrong by generating another wrong

The people on those islands have lived there for over three generations now.

it is there home and shall remain so.

Would both countries agree to turn these disputed islands into a dual country administration territory ? Can 2 grown up, mature nations divide , share, demonstrate good will instead of selfishness ? It would be a new attitude, a new example towards true peace

@Shimizu

I think It's possible from the Russian side, just no claims should be made of the islands being Japanese. It's nigh impossible from the Japanese side given their xenophobic and ethnocentric tendencies. It's the Japanese who deserted those territories.

The title is grossly misleading. Not one single of the residence (SIC) of those islands who left is still alive today.

You have proof of that? You think all Japanese who lived there in the 1940's are now dead? Highly unlikely.