February 7 — the day of “Northern territories”. The leaders of Russia and Japan in December agreed to start discussion of joint business activities, however, close to Cape Noshappu (Nemuro city) is keeping the tension. I went on a voyage on the patrol ship “Saroma”, who leads patrols into the icy sea.
Bypassing the port of Nemuro, whose waters are covered with ice, “Saroma” left the port of Hanasaki, which is located on the South of the Peninsula. On 17 January, the day of the flight, the temperature in Nemuro was minus 3.5 degrees. It’s warm for this time of year, but the sea North wind, with speed of 12 — 14 meters per second. The ship, whose length is 434 meters and a weight of 180 tons, flying over a two metre waves with a speed of about 50 kilometers per hour.
Waves hit the deck, the droplets gradually freeze.
To the dividing line we reached in about 40 minutes. From the window think that to the beacons and Signal Habama hand. In 2006, nearby the Russian side fired on a Japanese boat, killing a fisherman.
According to the administration of Nemuro, in the period from 1946 near the “Northern territories” has been delayed 1341 Japanese fishing vessel. 9502 arrested person, the number of casualties is 31 people.
In the control room came a voice: “Recorded Russian patrol boat” and captain Shinji Yamaguchi (Yamaguchi Shinji) looked through binoculars. About five kilometers away near the island tanfileva you can see the Russian patrol ship blue. Next to it is a cargo ship. One of the officers immediately came on deck and took a picture.
The main purpose of the patrols in this region is to monitor the Russian side, the monitoring of movements of Japanese ships and the prevention of fire and arrests. Patrol ships are here 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
According to the head of the Agency for Maritime safety city of Nemuro Hiroaki, Kanosue (Hiroaki Kanosue), in the Maritime region there is a special voltage. “Japanese and Russian patrol boats closer to the distance of the shot. This can lead to confrontation or conflict. It is therefore necessary to act quickly and calmly,” he notes.
The day of “Northern territories” is associated with the Simodsky treatise. In 1855, Russia and Japan held the border between the Islands of Iturup and Urup. In 1981, this day was approved by the Parliament. On this day in Tokyo Japan will host a meeting dedicated to the return of “Northern territories”. A similar event will also be held in the city of Nemuro.
The dividing line:
The line passing midway between Hokkaido and the “Northern territories”. As the most recognized Russian sovereignty, Japanese government agencies do not use this concept. Closer to Hokkaido is the line within which Japanese vessels are allowed to engage in fishing.
