[Tintin Storm]

The territorial dispute between Russia and Japan on the issue of ownership of the southern Kuril Islands have been remaining unresolved since the end of the Second World War. Japan considers the islands of Kunashir, Iturup, Shikotan, and the group of Habomai islands its territory, but Russia does not accept the fact of a dispute with the Japanese side over these territories, since its property is legitimate.
Japan relies on non-governmental organizations existing at the expense of membership fees, donations and financial support of the state, which are engaged in anti-Russian propaganda and popularization of this problem among the population of the country and the international community. The largest and most authoritative organizations are the Association for the Return of the Northern Territories and the League of Solidarity for the Return of the Northern Territories.
In 2017, the League plans to intensify propaganda among the population, especially among young people and school children, and improve interaction with the Russian-speaking population of the Kuril Islands with the help of Russian translators. Information about the plans of this organization is in the public access on its official website.
"Northern Territories - What is this place?", "Our Northern Territories", "We study the issue of the Northern Territories"- this is some titles of educational books that were published specially for Japanese schoolchildren. The purpose of these study materials is to develop the opinion of the future generation that Japan is rightful owner of Kuril Islands. In addition, animation films such as "Erica from the Northern Territories" and "Giovanni Island" are widely used in the educational process.
Also, the annual contest "About the problem of the Northern Territories" was held among Sapporo high school students for the best discussion material. In the content of the speeches of schoolchildren, it is often possible to hear anti-Russian propaganda in which the Soviet Union acts as an aggressor, and Japan is the injured party, and besides, the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over the Kurile Islands is illegal. The winner in this competition received a prize from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and the one who took the second place was awarded by the Governor of Hokkaido Prefecture. In addition, for these students, a personal meeting was held with the Prime Minister of Japan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, which indicates the great importance of such events for the country's political elite.
From 6tth to 12th of February this year, League of Solidarity and the administration of Hokkaido Prefecture held the "Snow Festival in Sapporo, where a special agitation corner was placed to collect signatures from the population in support of the return of the Northern Territories to Japan. Only 5,541 of the 27,000 people who visited the corner gave their signatures.
Thus, it can be concluded that despite some of the economic difficulties that Japan is currently experiencing, the government does not intend to reduce public propaganda efforts, especially in the Hokkaido prefecture. At the same time, the Russian side does not abandon attempts to establish relations with Japan, pursuing a consistent policy based on international law.