Aerial image of Habomai Islands

Aerial image of Habomai Islands

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows an aerial image taken in February 2009 of Suisho Island (back), one of the Habomai group of isles among the disputed island territories off Hokkaido. The islands are called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia.

Russian Orthodox saint statue erected on disputed island

Russian Orthodox saint statue erected on disputed island

MOSCOW, Russia - Photo of a 3-meter-high saint statue erected by Russia on Suisho Island, one of the small islets in the Habomai group of islands, on July 24. Japan has long called for the return of the Habomai islet group together with three larger islands off Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island.

Russian Orthodox saint statue erected on disputed island

Russian Orthodox saint statue erected on disputed island

MOSCOW, Russia - Photo of a 3-meter-high saint statue erected by Russia on Suisho Island, one of the small islets in the Habomai group of islands, on July 24. Japan has long called for the return of the Habomai islet group together with three larger islands off Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island. (Kyodo)

Miyajima Island,Aki

Miyajima Island,Aki

This is the mouth of Momijidani River, which flows to the west of Itsukushima Shinto Shrine. On the Onishimachi side of the river is the Nishino Matsubara with the red pines and stone lanterns. Mt. Suisho is visible in the distance. The stone lanterns on rocks protruding from the river were built in 1796. The taruki style head stones are uncommon in Japan.==Date:unknown, Place:Miyajima, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number93‐6‐0]

Aerial image of Habomai Islands

Aerial image of Habomai Islands

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows an aerial image taken in February 2009 of Suisho Island (back), one of the Habomai group of isles among the disputed island territories off Hokkaido. The islands are called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia. (Kyodo)

Abe, Putin to launch talks on joint activities on disputed isles

Abe, Putin to launch talks on joint activities on disputed isles

A fishing boat (L) and a Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel sail off Nemuro in Japan's northernmost main island Hokkaido on Dec. 16, 2016, with Suisho Island, part of the Habomai group, visible in the background. Japan and Russia agreed the same day to launch talks on joint economic activities on Russian-held islands, including the Habomai group, at the center of a territorial dispute, as Japan seeks to resolve the row and sign a post-World War II peace treaty with Russia. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Suisho Island of the Habomai group

Suisho Island of the Habomai group

File photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Feb. 10, 2009, shows Suisho Island of the Habomai islet group off Japan's northernmost main island Hokkaido. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Abe, Putin to launch talks on joint activities on disputed isles

Abe, Putin to launch talks on joint activities on disputed isles

Suisho Island, part of the Habomai group, is seen on Dec. 16, 2016, from Nemuro on Japan's northernmost main island Hokkaido. Japan and Russia agreed the same day to launch talks on joint economic activities on the four Russian-held, Japan-claimed islands, including the Habomai group, as Japan seeks to resolve the territorial row and sign a post-World War II peace treaty with Russia. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo