Commenting on the Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan's recent inspection of the Southern Kuriles by air, the agency said that this inspection put emphasis on form and it was aimed to demonstrate Japan's sovereignty over the islands through such symbolic action.

It noted that Russia would not easily concede on this issue as its right to control the islands is a main part of its overall strategy concerning its Far Eastern region and, furthermore, the Asian- Pacific region.

It quoted the analysts as saying that in case the Southern Kuriles are returned to Japan, these islands will be used by the U.S. and Japan for deterring Russia militarily and it will be hard for the Russian Pacific Fleet to freely move in the Pacific.