Japan aims for peace with Russia despite ongoing sanctions

The Japanese government is committed to resolving the territorial dispute and concluding a peace treaty with Russia, despite the current tensions and challenges in their bilateral relations.

This commitment was articulated by Japan's new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, during his first keynote address to the Japanese Parliament, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"Japan-Russia relations are in a difficult state, but our country will continue its course to resolve the territorial problem and conclude a peace treaty," Ishiba stated, emphasizing the importance of finding a diplomatic resolution.

In alignment with the stance of his predecessor, Fumio Kishida, Ishiba made it clear that Japan would maintain its sanctions against Russia while continuing to support Ukraine in its conflict with Moscow.

Discussions between Moscow and Tokyo regarding a peace agreement have been ongoing since the mid-20th century, primarily focused on the consequences of World War II. The primary sticking point in these negotiations is the dispute over the southern Kuril Islands. Following the war, the Soviet Union incorporated the entire archipelago, but Japan continues to contest the ownership of four islands: Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and a group of smaller, uninhabited islands. The Russian Foreign Ministry has consistently asserted that Russia's sovereignty over these territories is unequivocal and backed by international legal standards.

By Tamilla Hasanova