Russia: The Largest Country North of Japan

Russia is the world's largest country by land area (17+ million km²) and lies directly north of Japan. The two nations share a maritime border in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) and a disputed land border over the southern Kuril Islands (Northern Territories). Russia's Far East region—Vladivostok, Sakhalin, Kamchatka—is the proximate neighbor. Despite proximity, relations are colored by the unresolved territorial dispute dating to WWII's end.