Tokyo, Moscow hold talks to prepare for Abe’s Russia visit

April 20, 2018

Moscow- The Japanese and Russian governments on Thursday discussed proposed joint economic activities on the disputed northwestern Pacific islands to prepare for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's planned visit to Russia.

The discussions were held during bilateral strategic dialogue between Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Takeo Akiba and Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov.

The two sides had "frank discussions" on how to advance the joint activities on the Russian-held islands claimed by Japan, based on the shared view that such progress will help increase mutual trust toward the goal of concluding a peace treaty, Akiba told reporters after the meeting.

The session was also attended by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov.

Over the joint activities, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, last month agreed to speed up discussions ahead of the planned bilateral summit slated for late May.

The two countries hope to implement five projects including tourism and aquaculture early.

The strategic dialogue also covered North Korea and the recent airstrikes on Syria by the United States, Britain and France. The two sides agreed to work together to realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

On Thursday, Japan lodged a protest with Russia through diplomatic channels over its military exercises conducted on the Kuril Islands, which include four Russian-held islands claimed by Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.

"Russia's move to strengthen its military capabilities on those four northwestern Pacific islands is not compatible with our country's position," Suga said at a press conference.

He said Tokyo hopes to promote talks with Moscow with the aim of resolving the issue of sovereignty over the islands, known as the Northern Territories in Japan, and concluding a peace treaty to formally end their World War II hostilities.

Russia's Eastern Military District said Wednesday it has begun exercises, which involve more than 2,500 personnel and about 800 vehicles, on the Kurils.

The exercises may be conducted on Kunashiri or Etorofu, two of the four islands. The Russian military has been deploying advanced missiles and other military equipment on the islands, which it positions as a key military foothold in the Russian Far East.

The four islands were seized from Japan by Soviet troops in the closing days of World War II. The territorial dispute prevents Tokyo and Moscow from concluding a peace treaty. Jiji Press