How do Moscow and Tokyo negotiate over the Kuril Islands?

Russia and Japan have completed preliminary coordination talks, based on which they will plan to discuss joint economic activities on the Southern Kuriles Islands.

Russian President Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

As reported, a final agreement on the format of the talks could be reached during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Japan, scheduled for December 15-16.

According to media reports, the Japanese side hopes that the upcoming negotiations will open up opportunities for joint ventures in the tourism and fishing sectors. One of the first issues to be discussed will be the possibility of visa exemptions for Japanese businessmen on the islands of Kunashir, Iturup, Shikotan and Habomai.

Currently, Russia and Japan have a visa-free policy for the former inhabitants of these islands. Japanese people and their relatives, without a Russian visa, can visit the graves of their ancestors on the territory of the Kuril Islands. In 2015-2016, 1,660 Japanese people visited these islands. The remaining Japanese citizens need a Russian visa, which the Japanese government is not happy about./.

According to Sputnik