noun
Northern Territories dispute; Kuril Islands dispute
Refers specifically to the ongoing territorial dispute between Japan and Russia over the southern Kuril Islands (Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and the Habomai islets), known in Japan as the Northern Territories.
北方領土問題は日露間の大きな懸案事項だ。
The Northern Territories dispute is a major pending issue between Japan and Russia.
彼は北方領土問題について詳しく説明した。
He explained the Northern Territories dispute in detail.
Compound of 北方 (northern direction/region), 領土 (territory), and 問題 (problem/issue).