Search for missing people on sunken boat extended to disputed isle

The Japan Coast Guard on Thursday extended its search to the sea around Russian-controlled, Japan-claimed Kunashiri Island off Hokkaido for 12 people missing after a tour boat sunk in late April, with Moscow permitting the move based on a bilateral accord on maritime accidents.The Japanese coast guard notified Russia on April 25 of its intention to expand the search to the area near Kunashiri, one of four islands at issue in a territorial row that has prevented the two nations from signing a post-World War II peace treaty. Russia's coast guard agreed to allow Japanese vessels into the area …READ FULL ARTICLE