Japan Decides to Conclude a Peace Treaty with Russia 0 7

Japan intends to resolve the issue of the territorial ownership of the Kuril Islands and conclude a peace treaty with the Russian Federation. This decision was announced by the country's Prime Minister Sanae Takachi.

At the 45th "National Congress Demanding the Return of the Northern Territories," the politician acknowledged that the current relations between Tokyo and Moscow are difficult; however, several issues between the countries remain unresolved.

"Eighty years have passed since the war, but even now the territorial issue with Russia is not resolved, and a peace treaty has not been concluded. This is truly disappointing and causes regret. The government perceives this situation very seriously," she explained.

In 2024, the Japanese government referred to the Southern Kurils as "illegally occupied" by Russia. The report from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the "northern territories issue" raises the greatest concern in bilateral relations.

Former Prime Minister of Japan Shigeru Ishiba has intensified the rhetoric regarding the status of the Southern Kuril Islands. For the first time in seven years, plans were announced in the country to formalize the "ownership" of the islands of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai by Tokyo.