As the media are presenting the latest option, Japan consents to Russia retaining Iturup, the largest of the disputed islands and one of strategic importance, while Japan will get back the three others - Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the information in an official statement.
Mr. Mironov suspects the allegations are circulated on purpose - as one of frequent hints that Russia will eventually be coaxed into territorial concessions. More and more variants of such concessions are coming up. "The thing must stop. We are proceeding from our own country's and nation's interests as we deal with this and similar matters. Whatever islands ceded to Japan will clash with Russian interests," Mr. Mironov snaps in a return statement.