The Northern Territorial (Kuril Islands) dispute is the largest unresolved issue between Japan and Russia Japan's insistence on a return of the four islands together has been the goal towards which it has consistently striven since World War Two. Agreement is no closer than before, however; in fact, talks are now at a standstill. Many irresponsible proposals have come and gone, but for Japan the only viable course is one of continued effort, resourcefulness, and quiet fortitude with pride intact. After all, on this issue, until agreement is reached the side that loses patience...loses.

It is a fact that the oceans belong to no one. However, if everyone uses them as they like, in the name of “freedom,” trouble arises and the result is overfishing. Do fishermen, whose livelihood depends on the oceans, really use them freely?