768 Chapter 6
Date(s): August 9, 1969 to September 24, 1969
Participants: 365 Russia/740 Japan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: On August 9, 1969, a Soviet naval ship rammed into a Japanese fishing
vessel near Shikotan Island, northeast of Hokkaido. The Soviet government alleged
that the Japanese fishermen had violated Soviet maritime borders. Since the end of
World War II, the Soviet Union had occupied the Kuril Islands north of Japan. Japan
had been protesting the Soviet occupation of these islands for years and ignoring
Soviet claims over the waters surrounding the islands, which were important to the
Japanese fishing industry.
In early September, the Soviets seized three Japanese fishing vessels in that area.
Although there is no evidence that the Japanese government protested the seizure
of these vessels, on September 24, Japan’s Defense Agency announced its plans to
fortify the port of Yoichi on the Shakotan Peninsula, on the large northern island of
Hokkaido. The purpose of this new naval base was to improve the Japanese navy’s
ability to patrol northern Japanese waters, presumably so that it could protect Japanese
fishing vessels in those waters.
Coding changes: End Date changed from September 3, 1969.
MID#365
Dispute Number: 365
Date(s): September 6, 1976 to November 12, 1976
Participants: 365 Russia/740 Japan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: On September 6, 1976, Viktor Belenko, a lieutenant in the Soviet air force,
landed a MiG-25 in Hokkaido at 1:57 in the afternoon. Belenko sought refuge in the
United States and defection from the Soviet Union. The Soviet embassy in Japan, upon
being told it would not be allowed to “interview” the pilot immediately, protested the
incident and demanded the return of the plane and pilot. The Soviets also started
patrols in the area of Hakodate. Meanwhile, Japan worked to dismantle and examine
the plane at the request of the United States. On November 12, Japan finally returned
the plane to the Soviets, and Belenko was granted asylum in the United States.
Coding changes: End day changed from Missing. Outcome changed from Unclear.
Settlement changed from None.
MID#2964
Dispute Number: 2964
Date(s): September 7, 1977
Participants: 365 Russia/740 Japan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None