Russia To Release Japanese Fishermen

(RFE/RL) August 29, 2006 -- The Japanese Foreign Ministry says Russia plans to release on August 30 two of the three Japanese fishermen detained recently near the disputed Kurile Islands.

On August 16, Russian coast guards also shot dead a Japanese fisherman. The incident caused a diplomatic row.

Today, Russia protested over what it said was a violation of territorial waters near the Kuriles by 39 Japanese fishing boats on August 27.

Russia currently controls the disputed islands, which are known in Russia as the Southern Kuriles and in Japan as the Northern Territories.

(compiled from agency reports)