Russia appears keen to boost patriotism among residents on four islands that Japan calls the Northern Territories. Russia controls the islands but Japan claims them.

Japan marks Northern Territories Day on February 7 every year to provide nationwide backup for a campaign calling for the return of the islands. Japan and the Russian Empire signed a treaty on the date in 1855 to establish that the islands belong to Japan.

The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.

Russian President Vladimir Putin last September unveiled a plan for a museum construction project to commemorate a Soviet military operation that led to the occupation.

Moscow said last month that it will mark 2025 as "the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland." It said the designation is intended to express gratitude to Soviet and Russian soldiers who fought in World War Two, the invasion of Ukraine or other battles.

Other Russian efforts to commemorate the invasion are also underway on the Northern Territories.

A history and nature museum on Etorofu, one of the islands, showcases a Ukrainian military drone and uniform.

The facility also shares accounts that laud as a hero a Russian soldier from the island who died while fighting in Ukraine.

In addition, Russia has been promoting development projects on the Northern Territories. A school was built last year on Kunashiri, another of the islands, with a hotel completed on Etorofu.

The number of tourists to the area has been growing. Flights between Etorofu and the island of Sakhalin increased last summer.