Japan, Russia to form task force on joint business on disputed isles

Japan and Russia have agreed to set up a task force to jointly develop tourism and four other businesses on disputed islands controlled by Russia but claimed by Tokyo, a Japanese government official said Tuesday.Tokyo hopes joint economic activities will pave the way for settling a decades-old territorial row with Russia, while Moscow aims to attract Japanese investment to the underdeveloped islets off Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido.(Supplied Image)The first meeting of the task force is expected to be held early next year between Japan and the State of Sakhalin to advance the …READ FULL ARTICLE