The Japanese Coast Guard began a massive search for one of the country's islands off the north coast after it disappeared unnoticed, leading to a change in the map of Japan.
The strategically important island of Japan is likely to have disappeared under the cold waters of the Okhotsk Sea between the northern tip of Japan's Hokkaido and Russia after being eroded by high winds and snow.
Isanbei Hanakitakogima Island is one of 158 uninhabited Japanese islands, which the Japanese government has registered for four years in an effort to draw its territorial borders with Russia.
Under international law, islands can be registered within the territorial boundaries of a country only if they are above sea level, raising concerns among the Japanese after the disappearance of the island that the territorial waters of the country have shrunk.
Residents of the village of Sarovetsu did not notice the disappearance of the island, about half a kilometer from their town.
The Japanese researcher Hiroshi Shimizu sounded the alarm after visiting the nearby village of the island lost, and told the authorities that he was unable to locate Isanabe Hanakitakogima island.
The authorities confirmed what he had said at the time and expressed their inability to see the island even through maritime tours.
Now that the island has completely disappeared, the Japanese Coast Guard is seeking to locate it to maintain the country's territorial and maritime boundaries.
