Question

At the end of the 20th century, relations between Japan and Russia remained cool because of a. Russian troops stationed on Japan's Kuril Islands. B. Disputed ownership of the Kuril Islands. C. Failure of arms talks. D. Russia's charges of Japanese war crimes.

Answer 1

B. Disputed ownership of the Kuril Islands is the correct answer and this issue has still not been resolved between the former Soviet Union and Japan. The Kurils are referred to as the Northern Territories in Japan. Recently, in 2018 talks resumed over the territories as they remain in Russian jurisdiction with Japan holding jurisdiction over Iturup and Kunashir the two islands furtherest South.