Translated material
Most residents smoked against the transfer of the islands of Japan
Most of the residents of the southern islands of the Kuril ridge spoke out against their transfer to Japan. This was reported by the All -Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion ( VTsIOM ), which published data from the February survey.
According to the survey, 96% of all its participants from among the inhabitants of the southern Kurirus believe that Russia should not transfer to Japan of the island. The center stated that the new survey data is “stable”, since the previous VTsIOM study at the end of January 2019 showed a similar opinion of Russians.
SR in mobile SR on Instagram Wed FacebookSociologists interviewed residents from February 11 to February 17 on the islands of Kunashir, Shikotan and Iturup - in total over 50 interviewers in the formats of the apartment survey, survey in enterprises and in public places (cinemas, shops). In 6 days, 7,695 people over 18 years old were interviewed - this, according to VTsIOM, is about 70% of all adult residents of the islands.
As a result of the survey, the Sakhalin deputies accepted the claims of the Parliament of the Sakhalin Region on this issue: "The Sakhalin Duma claims that the Kuril Islands are an integral part of the Russian Federation and its subject - the Sakhalin Region."
More than 88% of the Japanese do not believe that the dispute about the "northern territories", as the southern chicken is called in Japan, will be decided by the Prime Minister Abe. 7.3% of respondents answered the question of resolving the conflict positively. The total support of the government of Japan increased by more than 2% and amounted to 45.6%.
At the end of January, 77% of Russia's inhabitants spoke out against the transfer of Japan of the Southern Kuril Islands. Supported the transfer of the islands of 14% of respondents. They believe that this can be done for the conclusion of a peace treaty. According to the Levada Center, in November 2018 there were 17%supporters of the islands. Two years earlier, such people were 7%.
Opponents of the transmission of the islands argue their point of view by the fact that the issue has already been resolved (29%), and every tenth claims that they are conquered.
- On January 22, the next negotiations of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe were held . They discussed the conclusion of a peace treaty and the territorial issue. Putin said that Russia's position remains unchanged, Moscow will adhere to the 1956 agreement. According to him, both countries are interested in signing a peace treaty. Abe noted that the problem unresolved in 70 years needs to be solved, but this is not easy. The head of Japan plans the next round of negotiations in June 2019.
- Four Kuril Islands moved to the USSR following World War II. Japan does not agree with their belonging to Russia. The territorial dispute prevents countries from concluding a peace treaty.
- In November 2018, Putin and Abe met, after which it became known that the parties were ready to negotiate on the basis of the 1956 Islands declaration. According to this document, the Soviet Union could transfer to Japan the island of Shikotan and the Hamobai Archipelago.
- On January 20, on the eve of the meeting of the leaders of the countries, rallies were held in the cities of Russia against the transfer of the islands of Japan.