Japan joined other nations in sanctions against Russia. Japan has banned exports of oil refinery equipment to Russia. There are historical tensions between the two countries with their dispute over who owns the Kuril islands. It is one of the world's longest-running territorial disagreements. It was the main reason the countries failed to sign a peace treaty at the end of World War 2. The Kuril islands are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and are thought to have offshore reserves of oil and gas. Russia says it's planning a special economic zone on the islands. In December, Russia deployed coastal defense missile systems near the islands as a show of force on Machua, a deserted volcanic island in the middle of the chain. The sovereignty of the Kuril Islands has been disputed for centuries. The islands were occupied by Soviet forces at the end of World War 2. Japan disputed Moscow's claim of sovereignty over the four southern islands closest to the main Japanese island of Hokkaido. Last month, the discovery of a US. submarine near the Kuril islands during Russian military exercises added to the hostile atmosphere between Russia and the west. Can Russia use its military forces against Japan as it is doing in Ukraine?
