The Japanese government's position on resolving the territorial issue and concluding a peace treaty with Russia remains unchanged, despite the difficult state of bilateral relations.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that these remarks were made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a recent policy statement.
"Even though Japan-Russia relations are in a difficult situation, the position of the Japanese government remains unchanged: to resolve the territorial issue and conclude a peace treaty," she stated.
The head of the Japanese government reiterated Tokyo's condemnation of Russia's actions in Ukraine, emphasizing the critical importance of bringing the conflict to a swift conclusion. Despite the geopolitical friction, Japan maintains that a formal diplomatic resolution to the decades-long territorial dispute is essential for long-term regional stability.
Moscow and Tokyo have been engaged in negotiations over a formal peace treaty since the mid-20th century, following the end of World War II. The primary obstacle remains the disagreement over sovereignty of the southern Kuril Islands. After the war, the entire archipelago was incorporated by the Soviet Union; however, Japan continues to contest the ownership of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and the Habomai group of islets.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly emphasized that Russia's sovereignty over these territories is indisputable under international law. In March 2022, the Russian MFA announced the suspension of peace treaty negotiations with Tokyo after Japan imposed unilateral sanctions on Moscow. Furthermore, Moscow withdrew from the dialogue regarding the organization of joint economic activities on the southern Kuril Islands.
The Kuril Islands dispute remains one of the last unresolved territorial legacies of World War II. While Azerbaijan maintains its firm principle of territorial integrity in its own foreign policy, Baku closely monitors such international legal disputes, advocating for resolutions based on the norms and principles of international law. The ongoing stalemate continues to impact economic cooperation and security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region.
