Japanese parliament confirmed the sovereignty over the Kurils.

Japan's lower house of parliament adopted a law on June 11, confirming the Japanese sovereignty over several Southern Kuril Islands, which are currently in Russia, informs edition The Japan Today.

MPs unanimously voted for a law which declares the island of Iturup, Shikotan, Kunashir, and the South Kuril ridge (Habomai group of islands), "an integral part of Japan."

The new law should complement the existing legislation on Kurils and in anticipation of the Russo-Japanese negotiations, which will be held at the July summit of G8, to give new impetus to the ongoing campaign in Japan to return the islands.

Reported that the new law provides for the further expansion of visa-free regime for Russians living in the Kurils and the Japanese, who formerly lived on the islands, but were forced to leave.

Kuril Islands under the control of the Soviet Union after the Second World War. Japan continues to claim several southern islands. Because of the unresolved territorial dispute between Russia and Japan have still not signed a peace treaty, even though in 1956 the parties signed a declaration on ending the war.

The Japanese right-wing policy from time to time make dramatic statements to the Russian side. In May, Prime Minister Taro Aso said that Russia is continuing "illegal occupation" Southern Kuril Islands. The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed formal protest, calling the Japanese claim misconduct.