Security measures in Osaka as Northern Territories protests occur

Additional police units were dispatched to the Russian Consulate General in Osaka, according to reports from RIA News. The agency indicated that far‑right activists staged protests at the consulate on Northern Territories Day, a date Japan observes on February 7 to highlight the four disputed northern islands: Kunashir, Shikotan, Iturup, and Habomai. The authorities described a broader security operation, with extra officers patrolling not only the consulate perimeter but also the adjacent streets, and with key routes leading to the diplomatic mission closed to vehicle traffic. The scene typically features a visible police presence, including a few officers stationed at the gate and a police minibus parked nearby to deter any escalation. The day’s events occurred as tensions surrounding the Northern Territories dispute continue to echo in diplomatic circles. The same day in Tokyo, the annual All Japan Congress advocating for the return of the Northern Territories convened, underscoring a sustained domestic focus on the issue. A separate, lighter note from the region mentions an encounter on the Kuril Islands where a bear reportedly snatched a bowl of soup from a tourist camp, illustrating the unpredictable nature of life in the area [attribution: RIA News].