Russia released a Japanese fishing boat Monday seized last week in waters off islands claimed by Japan after confirming that a fine had been paid.The boat returned to Nemuro in Hokkaido in the evening from Kunashiri, one of the disputed islands called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia.A Russian judicial source said a local court ordered a fine of some 68,000 rubles ($1,100) against the captain on Monday, as Moscow has said it violated rules under a bilateral fishing agreement.The Shoyo Maru No. 68, with six crew members, was seized last Wednesday after the …READ FULL ARTICLE
