Signalny, Maritime island in Lesser Kuril Chain, Russia and Japan
Signalny is a small island in the Kuril Chain situated between Hokkaido and the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Sea of Okhotsk. A lighthouse on the island serves mariners navigating these strategically important waters between Russian and Japanese territories.
The island changed hands between Japan and Russia several times due to border disputes in this region. Following World War II, it came under Russian administration, though Japan continues to dispute its sovereignty.
The island bears different names across languages, including Kaigara-jima in Japanese and Сигнальный in Russian, reflecting its cross-cultural maritime significance.
The island is difficult to access and visited only by lighthouse keepers and occasional researchers. Visitors should note that the region falls under Russian control and special permission is required to approach.
Japanese fishermen maintain seaweed harvesting rights in Russian waters around Signalny Island through a bilateral agreement established in 1981.
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