Government Reasserts Claims To Northern Islands In New Document

Japan has reinserted claims to four northern islands in a new foreign policy document, reports the Kyodo news agency.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry's Diplomatic Bluebook published on Monday included an explicit claim to the Russian-held islands Shikotan, Etorufu, Kunashiri and the Habomai islet group.

Tokyo has maintained its sovereignty over the islands since they were annexed by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II. The Soviet move has prevented the signing of a formal...