Sakhalin Island has a population of slightly more than 500,000 and is
still a subject of considerable contention between Russia and Japan. Of
interest to fans of tsunamis in straits are the Mamiya Strait (also known
as the Strait of Tartary) in the west and the Soya Strait (or Strait of Le
Perouse) in the south. On 28 May 1995, an earthquake measuring 7.5 on
the Richter scale occurred, killing 2,000 people (more than half the
population) in the town of Neftegorsk. A rail and road tunnel has been
considered for the narrowest point known as the Nevelskoy Strait. This
may be done as a bridge. Similar projects have been proposed for a
southward connection to Hokkaido.