The man lives on Kunashiri island, one of four disputed islands administered by Russia but also claimed by Japan which Japan calls the Northern Territories, off the northeast coast of Hokkaido.

The migration of animals throughout history is amply illustrated by the arrival of a subspecies of deer native to Hokkaido in Kunashiri Island, part of the Northern Territories that were seized ...

By September 5th, the Soviets occupied Etorofu, Kunashiri and two more islands -- Shikotan and Habomai. Masayuki Ichinohe was visiting from Hakodate City in Hokkaido.