The territorial dispute between Japan and Russia over four islands off the northeast coast of Hokkaid has been an enduring obstacle to closer relations between the two powers and therefore an important determinant of geopolitics in North-East Asia. Having emerged at the end of World War II, this conflict has now existed for more than seven decades. And yet, despite the passage of so much time, within Japan there remains a resilience of belief that the islands will eventually be returned.

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of Japan s prospects of ever recovering these "Northern...