Are the Russians and Japanese holding talks about the wildlife reserve?
No. In the wake of perestroika, Moscow and Tokyo have set up two committees aimed at settling the border dispute. One focuses on reversion of the islands back to Japan, and the other, joint business projects such as fishing. Given the islands’ overwhelming importance as a wildlife refuge — 60 percent of three (out of four) of the islands are nature sanctuary — it is curious indeed that negotiators have not seen fit to even include wildlife in their discussions. Focusing on conservation would ensure that if and when the islands revert to Japan, the environment is maintained in as pristine condition as possible. And joint conservation projects would seem to be an ideal vehicle for promoting closer bilateral ties, to which the Japanese government has said it is committed.
