Word: etorofu
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...first Japanese Prime Minister to visit Moscow since 1956, Tanaka was primarily interested in discussing the return to Japanese control of four islands north of Hokkaido that were seized by the Soviets at the tail end of the war. Though small geographically (4,244 sq. mi.), the islands-Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotani and Habomai*-loom large politically. The Diet has been pressing Tanaka to assert Japan's rights to the islands. If Tanaka could arrange their return under a belated peace treaty with Russia formally ending World War II, it would be a major and much-needed personal triumph...