Four islands

Four northern islands off the coast of eastern Hokkaido - Haboma, Shikotan, Kumashiri and Etorofu - are recognised under international law as Japanese.
However, on 3 September 1945, following WW2 and the Japanese surrender, the Soviet Union, in a piece of Stalinistic, cynical opportunism, unlawfully took possession of the four islands.
Japan expects and pursues the return of the islands, and the Japanese Government has designated February 7th each year as "Northern Territories Day" - to remind its people that the islands have yet to be returned to Japan by Russia.
This striking and powerful monument on the north coast of Hokkaido, created on August 7th 1982, is called "A Cry....The Way To The Islands" and symbolises the sentiments of loss and pursuit of return.
The sculptor's identity I could not ascertain.