Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Putin photo at Russian school on Japan-claimed Shikotan isle

SAPPORO, Japan - A picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin adorns the corridor of a unified elementary to senior high school on the island of Shikotan, one of the four Russian-administered islands claimed by Japan off the northernmost main island of Hokkaido, on June 7, 2014, during a visa-free visit by Japanese people.

E

Japanese on visa-free visit to Russian-held island

SAPPORO, Japan - Japanese visitors dance with Russian partners in a party on the island of Shikotan, one of the four Russian-administered islands claimed by Japan off the northernmost main island of Hokkaido, on June 8, 2014, the last day of a visa-free exchange program. The program started in 1992 in the absence of a peace treaty due to the territorial dispute.

E

Annual visa-free visit to Russian-held northern isles

SAPPORO, Japan - A Japanese visitor makes a payment in Russian currency to buy souvenirs such as chocolates and liquors at a grocery store on Shikotan island, one of the four Russian-administered islands claimed by Japan off Hokkaido Prefecture, northern Japan, on June 7, 2014, the 23rd year of visa-free exchanges between the two countries.

E

Housing, infrastructure built on Japan-claimed Russian isle

SAPPORO, Japan - Construction of houses and infrastructure takes place rapidly in a town on the island of Shikotan, one of the four Russian-administered islands claimed by Japan off the northernmost main island of Hokkaido, on June 8, 2014, with cows seen grazing on a hill.

E

Annual visa-free visit to Russian-held northern isles

SAPPORO, Japan - A Russian woman (front C) sings a Japanese song along with Japanese visitors at a gathering on Shikotan island, one of the four Russian-administered islands claimed by Japan off Hokkaido Prefecture, northern Japan, on June 7, 2014, the 23rd year of visa-free exchanges between the two countries.

E

Annual visa-free visit to Russian-held northern isles

SAPPORO, Japan - Japanese visitors offer a silent prayer at a memorial marker in a graveyard for deceased compatriots on Shikotan island, one of the four Russian-administered islands claimed by Japan off Hokkaido Prefecture, northern Japan, on June 7, 2014, the 23rd year of visa-free exchanges between the two countries.

E

Annual visa-free visit to Russian-held northern isles

SAPPORO, Japan - Russian children in vivid-colored costumes welcome Japanese visitors at a kindergarten on Shikotan island, one of the four Russian-administered islands claimed by Japan off Hokkaido Prefecture, northern Japan, on June 7, 2014, the 23rd year of visa-free exchanges between the two countries.

E

Visa-free visit to Northern Territories

NEMURO, Japan - Japanese visitors chat with a Russian resident (C) on the island of Shikotan, one of the Russian-administered islands claimed by Japan off Hokkaido, on June 8, 2014, during a visa-free exchange program. The program started in 1992, while the territorial dispute has prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

E

Visa-free visit to Northern Territories

NEMURO, Japan - Japanese visitors meet children at a kindergarten on the island of Shikotan, one of the Russian-administered islands claimed by Japan off Hokkaido, on June 8, 2014, during a visa-free exchange program. The program started in 1992, while the territorial dispute has prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

E

Visa-free visit to Northern Territories

NEMURO, Japan - Japanese visitors dance with Russians at a dinner party on the island of Shikotan, one of the Russian-administered islands claimed by Japan off Hokkaido, on June 8, 2014, during a visa-free exchange program. The program started in 1992, while the territorial dispute has prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

E

Hokkaido governor visits disputed island

SAPPORO, Japan - Hokkaido Gov. Harumi Takahashi (L) visits a school on Shikotan, one of the disputed islands held by Russia, on Aug. 5, 2012. Takahashi said Aug. 6 after winding up a four-day visit to the island as a member of a Japanese delegation in a visa-free exchange program, that communities for Japanese and Russian residents to live together will be needed on those islands off Hokkaido once they are returned to Japan. (Pool photo)

E

Hokkaido governor visits disputed island

SAPPORO, Japan - Hokkaido Gov. Harumi Takahashi (3rd from R) visits a Russian household on Shikotan, one of the disputed islands held by Russia, on Aug. 5, 2012. Takahashi said Aug. 6 after winding up a four-day visit to the island as a member of a Japanese delegation in a visa-free exchange program, that communities for Japanese and Russian residents to live together will be needed on those islands off Hokkaido once they are returned to Japan. (Pool photo)

E

Japan mission leaves for Shikotan on visa-free trip

NEMURO, Japan - A group of 63 Japanese leaves Nemuro port in eastern Hokkaido on May 19 for a four-day trip to Shikotan -- one of four Russian-held islands claimed by Japan -- for the first trip this year under a visa-free exchange program.

E

Initial return of Shikotan, Habomai only solution: envoy

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Ambassador to Russia Minoru Tamba speaks in an interview with Kyodo News on Feb. 16. Tamba said that the initial return to Japan of Shikotan Island and the Habomai islet group of all the Russian-held islands is the only way to solve the decades-old territorial dispute, which has prevented the two sides signing a peace treaty.

E

3,000 pledge more efforts for return of Russian-held islands

NEMURO, Japan - About 3,000 people from 129 organizations from across Japan shout in Russian ''Return the four islands to Japan'' in a rally held in Nemuro, eastern Hokkaido, on Oct. 1. The rally is the largest ever staged by groups working for the return of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido -- Etorofu, Kunashiri and Shikotan islands and the Habomai group of islets.

E

Ex-islanders call for early return of islands off Hokkaido during rally in Tokyo

Japanese former residents of Russian-held islands off Hokkaido and local municipal government officials appeal for their early return to Japan during a march in Tokyo's Ginza area on Dec. 1, 2022. The islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai islet group were seized by the Soviet Union after Japan surrendered in World War II in August 1945.

E

Ex-islanders call for early return of islands off Hokkaido during rally in Tokyo

Japanese former residents of Russian-held islands off Hokkaido and local municipal government officials appeal for their early return to Japan during a meeting in Tokyo's Hibiya Park on Dec. 1, 2022. The islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai islet group were seized by the Soviet Union after Japan surrendered in World War II in August 1945.

E

Ex-islanders call for early return of islands off Hokkaido during rally in Tokyo

Japanese former residents of Russian-held islands off Hokkaido and local municipal government officials appeal for their early return to Japan during a march in Tokyo's Ginza area on Dec. 1, 2022. The islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai islet group were seized by the Soviet Union after Japan surrendered in World War II in August 1945.

E

The Northern Territories: Islands That Have Yet to Return

As Japan and the Soviet Union continue to disagree over the ownership of the Northern Territories, a caravan launches a campaign. 　 A caravan of people demanding the return of the Northern Territories visits Secretary of Internal Affairs and Communications Inamura, shaking his hand in encouragement; scenes at Cape Nosappu; people peering through binoculars at the Northern Territories in the distance; scenes of talks between Japan and the Soviet Union; the caravan travels around the country; scenes at a meeting in Nagoya demanding the return of the Northern Territories; greetings from Aichi Governor Nakaya Yoshiaki; and more. Fishermen fishing for kelp. Date of shooting unknown, release date: September 15, 1984.

E

The Northern Territories: Aiming for an Early Return

Local people hand in a letter of request to Prime Minister Ohira Masayoshi to appeal for the return of the Northern Territories. 　 <Caption> The scenery of Cape Nosappu, people peering through binoculars at the Northern Territories in the distance, the governors of Hokkaido visiting the Diet to demand the early return of the Northern Territories, the handing of a letter of request to Prime Minister Ohira, and government officials listening to appeals for the return of the Northern Territories. Date of shooting unknown, Date of release: February 23, 1979.

E

Ex-resident of Shikotan thinks of boyhood days

Hiroshi Tokuno, a Japanese national and former resident of Shikotan, one of the Russian-held islands claimed by Japan off Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, recalls the days he spent in Shikotan around the end of World War II on a ship off the prefecture's Cape Nosappu (back, R), near the Japan-Russia intermediate line on April 2, 2015. Animated film "Giovanni's Island" was created based on his experience. (Photo by Daisuke Suzuki)(Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

'Giovanni's Island' animation hint for solving thorny issue with Russia

A rusty missile artillery piece still remains on the coastline of Shikotan, a Russian-held island off Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, in this photo taken on June 7, 2014. The 2014 Japanese animation film "Giovanni's Island" brings back various memories to former Japanese islanders vis-a-vis their relations with Russian children at the end of World War II. Friendship with them would be a key to solving territorial issues, according to one of the islanders. (Photo by Daisuke Suzuki) (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

1st group of ex-Japanese residents leaves for Russian-held isles

A group of former Japanese residents of Russian-administered islands claimed by Japan off Hokkaido depart from Nemuro port in the northernmost main Japanese island on May 20, 2016, for Shikotan Island, one of the four disputed islands. The trip, under a bilateral visa-free exchange program that began in 1992, allows Japanese citizens and Russian residents on the contested islands to engage in mutual visits without visas. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Japanese group visits disputed Shikotan Island

Members of a Japanese group visiting Shikotan Island, one of four disputed islands off Japan's Hokkaido claimed by Japan but administered by Russia, under an exchange program get together with Russian residents on the island in August 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Japanese visit Russian home on disputed island

Japanese participants of the visa-free exchange program between Japan and Russia involving current and former residents on the islands off Japan's Hokkaido receive hospitality at the home of a Russian person on Shikotan Island, one of the four disputed islands claimed by Japan but administered by Russia, in August 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Ex-lawmaker Suzuki meets with captain of captured boat

Former Japanese lawmaker Muneo Suzuki (L) and Democratic Party of Japan lower house member Takako Suzuki attend a press conference in Japan's northeastern city of Nemuro on July 27, 2015, after visiting crew members of Japanese fishing boat Hoko Maru No. 10, which was seized by Russian authorities. The two visited Kunashiri and Shikotan islands on a visa-free visit. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Life on disputed Shikotan Island

Photo taken Oct. 23, 2016, shows a monument commemorating those killed in World War II, on Shikotan, one of the four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido that are claimed by Japan. The decades-old territorial row will be high on the agenda when President Vladimir Putin holds a summit meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Japan in December. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Life on disputed Shikotan Island

A customer shops at a newly opened grocery store on Oct. 22, 2016, on Shikotan, one of the four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido that are claimed by Japan. The decades-old territorial row will be high on the agenda when President Vladimir Putin holds a summit meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Japan in December. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Life on disputed Shikotan Island

Photo taken Oct. 23, 2016, shows a hospital on Shikotan, one of the four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido that are claimed by Japan. The decades-old territorial row will be high on the agenda when President Vladimir Putin holds a summit meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Japan in December. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Life on disputed Shikotan Island

A Russian family walks on a road on Oct. 23, 2016, through a community on Shikotan, one of the four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido that are claimed by Japan. The decades-old territorial row will be high on the agenda when President Vladimir Putin holds a summit meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Japan in December. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Life on disputed Shikotan Island

Photo taken Oct. 20, 2016, shows a World War II monument on Shikotan, one of the four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido that are claimed by Japan. The decades-old territorial row will be high on the agenda when President Vladimir Putin holds a summit meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Japan in December. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Japan mission leaves for Shikotan on visa-free trip

NEMURO, Japan - A group of 63 Japanese leaves Nemuro port in eastern Hokkaido on May 19 for a four-day trip to Shikotan -- one of four Russian-held islands claimed by Japan -- for the first trip this year under a visa-free exchange program. (Kyodo)

E

Putin photo at Russian school on Japan-claimed Shikotan isle

SAPPORO, Japan - A picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin adorns the corridor of a unified elementary to senior high school on the island of Shikotan, one of the four Russian-administered islands claimed by Japan off the northernmost main island of Hokkaido, on June 7, 2014, during a visa-free visit by Japanese people. (Kyodo)

E

Islanders show mixed reaction to Japan-Russia deal

Russian residents of Shikotan Island, one of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido that are claimed by Japan, watch TV news on bilateral summit meeting at a retail store on Dec. 16, 2016. While the leaders of the two countries agreed to launch talks on joint economic activities on the isles, residents expressed hope as well as concern over the deal, which calls for cooperation in the fishery, sea farming, tourism, medical and environmental fields. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Islanders show mixed reaction to Japan-Russia deal

A Russian resident of Shikotan Island, one of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido that are claimed by Japan, walks on a street on Dec. 16, 2016, as the two countries agreed the same day to launch talks on joint economic activities on the isles. Residents expressed hope as well as concern over the deal, which calls for cooperation in the fishery, sea farming, tourism, medical and environmental fields. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Islanders show mixed reaction to Japan-Russia deal

A post official on Shikotan Island, one of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido that are claimed by Japan, works on Dec. 16, 2016, as the two countries agreed the same day to launch talks on joint economic activities on the isles. Residents expressed hope as well as concern over the deal, which calls for cooperation in the fishery, sea farming, tourism, medical and environmental fields. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Islanders show mixed reaction to Japan-Russia deal

A Russian resident of Shikotan Island, one of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido that are claimed by Japan, walks near the sea on Dec. 16, 2016, as the two countries agreed the same day to launch talks on joint economic activities on the isles. Residents expressed hope as well as concern over the deal, which calls for cooperation in the fishery, sea farming, tourism, medical and environmental fields. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Disputed Russian-held islands off Hokkaido

Photo taken Jan. 30, 2019, from a Kyodo News airplane shows Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands off Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido. Seen in the center is the Habomai islet group, with Shikotan above. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Russian-held islands in northern Japan

Photo taken Jan. 30, 2019, from a Kyodo News airplane shows Shikotan Island, one of four Russian-held islands off Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Russian-held islands in northern Japan

Photo taken Jan. 30, 2019, from a Kyodo News airplane shows Shikotan Island (front), one of four Russian-held islands off Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Japanese visitors to Russian-held islands

Photo taken on Aug. 26, 2018, shows artillery made from an old Soviet tank on the coast of Shikotan Island, one of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido that are claimed by Japan. Soviet troops seized Shikotan and the other islands at the end of World War II. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Japanese visitors to Russian-held islands

A group of Japanese people listen to a Russian briefer at the construction site for a processing plant for fishery products on Shikotan Island, one of the Russian-held islands off Hokkaido which Japan claims, during a visa-free visit program on Aug. 26, 2018. Former Soviet troops seized Shikotan and three other islands at the end of World War II. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Japanese visitors to Russian-held islands

Photo taken on Aug. 26, 2018, shows a part of Shikotan Island, one of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido that are claimed by Japan. Soviet troops seized Shikotan and the other islands at the end of World War II. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Abe, Putin to meet in hot spring resort, territorial row the focus

Kaigara Island, part of the Habomai group of islets, is seen from Cape Nosappu on Japan's northernmost main island Hokkaido on Dec. 14, 2016. In the foreground is a "prayer flame" that burns in hope of a return of the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai islet group from Russia. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Initial return of Shikotan, Habomai only solution: envoy

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Ambassador to Russia Minoru Tamba speaks in an interview with Kyodo News on Feb. 16. Tamba said that the initial return to Japan of Shikotan Island and the Habomai islet group of all the Russian-held islands is the only way to solve the decades-old territorial dispute, which has prevented the two sides signing a peace treaty.

E

3,000 pledge more efforts for return of Russian-held islands

NEMURO, Japan - About 3,000 people from 129 organizations from across Japan shout in Russian ''Return the four islands to Japan'' in a rally held in Nemuro, eastern Hokkaido, on Oct. 1. The rally is the largest ever staged by groups working for the return of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido -- Etorofu, Kunashiri and Shikotan islands and the Habomai group of islets.