What are the Northern Territories? A Comprehensive Overview of History, Present, and Future

Introduction

You may have heard the term "Northern Territories" (Hoppō Ryōdo), but many people may not have a systematic understanding of their origins, international context, and current status.

In this article, we will take a calm, comprehensive look at how these islands, located northeast of Hokkaido toward the Russian Federation, have reached their current state through history, examining them from military, maritime, and diplomatic perspectives. We will explain technical terms as we go.

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Chapter 1: Geography, Names, and the Islands in Question

1.1 The Four Islands

The Japanese government identifies the following four islands as the "Northern Territories":

• Etorofu Island (Etorofu-tō)
• Kunashiri Island (Kunashiri-tō)
• Shikotan Island (Shikotan-tō)
• Habomai Islands (Habomai-guntō)

These islands are located in the Kuril Islands (called the Kuril Archipelago by Russia), which extend from the northeastern tip of Hokkaido toward Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

1.2 Japan's Position vs. Russia's Position

• The Japanese government maintains that these four islands are "inherently Japanese territory" and that Russia's occupation is an "illegal occupation."
• Russia (and the former Soviet Union) claims these islands as territory acquired at the end of World War II and has made it clear that it will not engage in return negotiations.

1.3 Why "Northern Territories"?

The term "Northern Territories" (Northern Territories) used by the Japanese government comes from their position as "territory" to the northeast of Hokkaido. Russia refers to them as the "Kuril Islands" or "South Kuril Region."

1.4 Why These Islands Matter

There are four main reasons why these islands are significant:

• Geographic proximity to Hokkaido
• Abundant marine and fishery resources (discussed later)
• Strategic military value (defense and surveillance of the North Pacific and Sea of Okhotsk)
• A rare case where a peace treaty (post-war settlement) has not been concluded between Japan and Russia

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Chapter 2: Historical Background from Prehistory to the Edo Period

2.1 Indigenous Peoples: The Ainu

The Ainu people have lived in this region since ancient times, and the name "Hokkaido" only became established after the Edo period. Until the Edo shogunate period, the Hokkaido and Kuril regions were treated somewhat differently from the directly governed territories of "Japan" (Honshu, Tohoku, Kanto, etc.).

💡 Did you know?: The term "Ezo-chi" (Ezo land) reflects how Japan in the Edo period viewed Hokkaido as "Ezo = foreign/alien land."

2.2 Late Edo to Meiji Period: Growing Interest from the Shogunate and Government

• From around 1644, the shogunate began exploring Hokkaido and the Kuril Islands, and island names such as "Shika" and "Etorofu" began to appear.
• In 1855 (Ansei 2, late shogunate period), the "Treaty of Shimoda" was concluded between Japan and Russia, establishing the border between Etorofu Island and Urup Island.
• In 1875 (Meiji 8), under the "Treaty of St. Petersburg," Japan abandoned Sakhalin Island in exchange for all 18 islands of the Kuril Islands.

2.3 Establishment as "Japanese Territory"

By the Meiji period, the Kuril Islands, including the Northern Territories, were positioned as regions where "Japan's effective control, development, and settlement of residents" had progressed. The Japanese government also maintains that "by the first half of the 19th century, Japan had discovered, surveyed, and established effective control over at least the four islands."

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Chapter 3: World War II and Post-War Settlement (1940s-1950s)

3.1 The Final Stages of the War

On August 14, 1945, Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration from the Allies (United States, United Kingdom, and China) and surrendered. Prior to this, on August 8, 1945, the former Soviet Union (USSR) abrogated the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact and entered the war against Japan.

As a result, by the end of August, Soviet forces had completed their landing and occupation of the four islands northeast of Hokkaido.

3.2 The Unconcluded Peace Treaty

The Japanese government has not yet concluded a formal "end of war (peace treaty)" with the former Soviet Union and Russia. This is a major factor that continues to affect the Northern Territories issue to this day.

3.3 Legal Framework and Japan's Position

• The Japanese government continues to claim the four islands as "inherently Japanese territory."
• The Soviet Union/Russia maintains that it acquired these islands through "international arrangements at the end of World War II" and refuses to return them.

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Chapter 4: Current Russian Constitution and International Legal Framework

4.1 Relevant Provisions of the Russian Federation Constitution

• Article 4 of the Constitution: Paragraph 1 states "The sovereignty of the Russian Federation extends to its entire territory," Paragraph 2 states "The Constitution and federal laws have supremacy throughout the entire territory of the Russian Federation," and Paragraph 3 states "The Russian Federation ensures the integrity and inviolability of its territory."
• Article 5 also establishes the composition of the Russian Federation, including republics, territories (krai), regions (oblast), federal cities, autonomous regions, and autonomous districts.

4.2 "Territorial Integrity" and Its Meaning

Since the Constitution explicitly states that it "ensures the integrity and inviolability of its territory," Russia positions the cession or abandonment of its territory to another country as an extremely high-barrier act at the constitutional level.

4.3 International Law and Academic Perspectives

• The concept of "eternity clause" (territorial integrity provisions) has been noted in both Germany and Russia as a means to prevent changes to territorial composition through constitutional amendments.
• Academically, Russia takes the position that these islands are its own territory from the perspectives of "sovereignty, effective control, and international succession (transition from the former Soviet Union)," and maintains a strong stance that does not assume exchange or return.

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Chapter 5: Current Status, Resources, and Military Value of the Islands

5.1 Population, Residents, and Administrative Status

Currently, all four islands are under Russian administrative control and effective control. For example, there are no permanent Japanese residents on the islands.

5.2 Marine Resources and Fishery Value

This region spans the Sea of Okhotsk and the North Pacific, and is rich in fishery resources such as purse seine fishing, crab fishing, and seaweed. It has been noted that it could become an important base for fisheries and seafood distribution from Japan's perspective.

5.3 Military and Strategic Value

From the perspectives of Northeast Asian sea and air routes, the junction of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific, and the Arctic and Northern Sea Route, these islands are considered strategically important for defense, surveillance, and seal-in (containment) strategies. For example, there are reports that Russia is strengthening its military presence in this region.

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Chapter 6: The Course of Return Negotiations and Current Position

6.1 Key Milestones in Negotiations

• 1956: In the Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration, the former Soviet Union expressed its readiness to "transfer Shikotan Island and the Habomai Islands to Japan."
• 2000s: There was discussion in Japan about whether to accept a proposal to prioritize the return of Shikotan and Habomai.

6.2 Current Situation

• Russia has made it clear that "these islands are Russian territory and are not subject to negotiation."
• Japan continues to demand their return, and on February 7, 2023 (the 168th anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty of Shimoda in 1855), described the situation as "illegal occupation."

6.3 Will They Be Returned or Not?

Given the "territorial integrity" provisions in the Russian Constitution and the unchanged state of effective control, the possibility of full return in the near future is low, and the prevailing view is that "while maintaining the framework of negotiations, movements will likely remain partial, gradual, or nominal."

6.4 Japan's Return Demands as "Motion"

While Japan's return demands are regularly updated from the perspectives of "diplomatic cards" and "maintaining national identity," there are also cautious voices regarding the actual negotiation conditions (economic support, quid pro quo provisions, Japan-Russia economic cooperation, etc.).

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Chapter 7: Summary and Outlook

7.1 Summary So Far

• The four Northern Territories islands were regions where Japan's effective control progressed from the 19th century to the first half of the 20th century.
• At the end of World War II, the former Soviet Union (now Russia) landed and occupied them, and no formal peace treaty has been concluded between Japan and Russia since.
• The Russian Constitution explicitly states "territorial integrity," creating a system that denies return at the constitutional level.
• The islands have high geographic, resource, and strategic value and remain a focus of negotiations.

7.2 Future Points to Watch

• Momentum in negotiations due to changes in Japan-Russia relations (for example, the Russia-Ukraine situation, relations with Japan, Europe, and the United States).
• Changes in public opinion and political conditions within Japan.
• Movements in economic development, fisheries, and military activities on and around the islands.

7.3 A Perspective to Keep in Mind

Rather than viewing this issue solely through the binary lens of "return or recapture," we can think calmly about "how things will move forward" by examining it from multiple perspectives: history, effective control, international law, diplomatic negotiations, resources, and security.

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Conclusion

Through this explanation, we hope that the Northern Territories issue can be understood not just as a topic of discussion, but as an entry point to understanding it as a "real problem where history, geography, and international politics intersect."