An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 on the Richter Scale jolted Japan’s Kuril Islands.
About Kuril Islands:
- The Kuril Islands are a volcanic archipelago stretching approximately 1,300 km from Hokkaido, Japan, to the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.
- Comprising 56 islands and numerous minor islets, they divide the Sea of Okhotsk from the North Pacific Ocean.
- The archipelago is divided into the Greater Kuril Chain and the Lesser Kuril Chain at the southwest end.
Historical Context:
- Post World War II, the Kuril Islands have been under Russian administration following the 1945 invasion by the Soviet Union.
- Despite Russian control, Japan claims the four southernmost islands (Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and the Habomai islets) as part of its territory, referring to them as the “Northern Territories.”
The Dispute:
- The contention mainly revolves around the southernmost islands, with Japan and Russia both asserting sovereignty.
- The dispute has persisted for decades, affecting diplomatic relations between the two nations.
- The Kuril Islands are strategically significant due to their location and the rich marine resources surrounding them.
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