For Japan the issue of the Kuriles return is not only a principle of "historical justice".
The Japanese have been claiming the Southern Kuriles for more than half a century, calling the islands “their Northern Territories”... All the Kuril Islands - Shikotan, Kunashir, Urup and Iturup are pleasant territories. They are of critical importance for Russia in geopolitical, strategic and economic sense.

The following activities were conducted in 2018 (license ЮСХ-14172-ТР):
1. A program for pilot testing of units for rhenium concentrate extraction from volcanic gases was developed, engineering materials and professional equipment, construction materials, fittings, fodder, fuel were purchased, naval and air means of delivery were leased, etc.