An Asahi article reports that a fisherman’s cooperative is offering pleasure cruises that will bring tourists within sight of the Russian-occupied islet of Kaigara-jima:

The islet, 3.7 kilometers off Nosappu point in eastern Hokkaido, is the closest of the Northern Territories seized by the former Soviet Union at the end of World War II.

Participants also can observe whales, killer whales and seals that swim off Nosappu point.

In August 2006, a Russian border patrol vessel seized a Japanese crab fishing boat in waters off the island after a shootout in which a 35-year-old crew member died.

Until now, tourists wishing to see the islets had to charter a boat.

The pleasure cruise service will operating until the end of April. The cruise, which takes up to 12 tourists on a 2 hour voyage, will cost 3,000 yen for adults and 2,000 yen for children. The Japanese version of the article lists the following contact number for those interested in making a reservation: [0153-28-2121]

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