New ferry for visa-free visits

A new Japanese ship to carry former residents and their offspring to the 4 Russian-held islands claimed by Japan was launched on Friday.

The 66-meter-long vessel slid down the slipway at a shipyard in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan, after Shinto priests prayed for her safety.

The ship is named Etopirika, after a sea bird that flies freely around the disputed territories of Kunashiri, Etorofu, and Shikotan islands, and the Habomai islet group.

Etopirika's capacity is around 100 passengers, who will be part of the Japan-Russia visa-free exchange program.

The bilateral agreement sets aside the sovereignty question over the islands off eastern Hokkaido to enable mutual visits by former and current islanders.

The new vessel was built after aging former islanders complained the ship chartered for their trips was old and uncomfortable to sail in.

Etopirika has an elevator and other barrier-free features, and carries a small boat that can put passengers ashore where quay facilities are insufficient.

The new ship will begin the visa-free visits from May next year, after final touches to the interior are completed.

Friday, November 11, 2011 17:31 +0900 (JST)