. >> ambassador yevgeny afanasio said the two nations will be able to solve difficult problems only after improving bilateral relations over the territorial issue. the four islands kunashiri, etorofu, shikotan and hab oh mi are surrounded by abundant fishing waters. soviet forces took control of the islands soon after the end of world war ii. >>> more than a year after the earthquake and tsunami, a young woman uses mango to tell the survivors' stories. in today's edition of "the road ahead," we'll meet her and find out why she's taken this road. >> reporter: the author based the stories on actual conversations with survivors. she began posting the mango on the blog soon after the disaster so readers understood the victims' ordeal. >> mom? someone? anyone? please help me. my mother's down here. >> reporter: ishizawa's blog caused a sensation. she published a book. an english version followed so people around the world knew about the tragedy. ishizawa volunteered to clean up a hard-hit town. she spoke with disaster survivors about what they feel and about their future. >> translator: i thou