Russia Wants To Hand Over Two Bodies In Sakhalin
A senior Japanese official says Russia wants to hand over two bodies found on the coast of Russian-controlled Kunashiri Island after a Japanese tour boat sank in April. He said their proposal was to carry out the handover in southern Sakhalin.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Seiji told reporters on Tuesday that Russian authorities had verbally conveyed their wish the previous day.
The tour boat "Kazu I," carrying 26 people, sank off Shiretoko Peninsula in the northern Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido. Fourteen people have been confirmed dead. Twelve remain unaccounted for.
From May through June, Russian authorities informed Japan that three bodies had been found along the coasts of Kunashiri Island and southern Sakhalin.
Arrangements are being made through diplomatic channels for the bodies to be handed over.
Kunashiri is one of four Russian-held islands Japan claims as an inherent part of its territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.
Kihara says the government is working to bring about the handover as soon as possible for humanitarian reasons.