Abe to meet Putin, Moon in Vladivostok after N. Korea N-test

September 5, 2017

TOKYO- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit the Russian Far East city of Vladivostok for two days from Wednesday to attend a Russia-hosted Eastern Economic Forum conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced Tuesday.

On Thursday, Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to have a bilateral summit there, with the Japanese leader poised to seek cooperation from Russia for the adoption of a new UN Security Council resolution to toughen sanctions against N. Korea, in response to the reclusive country's sixth nuclear test on Sunday.

Abe also aims to reach an accord with Putin on specific joint economic projects around four Russian-held islands called the Northern Territories by Japan.

Japan claims the islands, located in the northwestern Pacific, which were seized by Soviet troops in the closing days of World War II.

Abe will hold bilateral talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in as well, on the sidelines of the regional gathering.

Besides North Korean problems, Abe and Moon may discuss historical issues between their countries, including on Koreans recruited to work for Japanese companies during Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Jiji Press