The current state of international legal problems of the Southern Kuril islands

The study highlights one of the controversial territorial disputes between Japan and Russia, which is viewed in the terms of modern international law. The paper focuses on the comparative legal analysis of the positions of the states in this discussion. A proposal on the adoption of a mutual agreement concerning the mechanisms of exploitation (ownership) of disputed territories and marine spaces around these territories has been put forward. Considering the conflict resolution in 'returning' Japan to the Southern Kuril Islands, the author comes to the assumption that it may lead to a 'reconsideration' of other results of the Second World War, in particular, causing claims to the territory of the Kaliningrad region or the Karelian Isthmus, and therefore considers such option of resolving a territorial dispute to be unacceptable. In conclusion, at the present stage of the negotiation between Japan and Russia the result must be seen in the international legal agreement of a binding nature, which would state a reasonable compromise. The author sees the method of its implementation in establishing interstate cooperation in various spheres.