The absence of a peace treaty with Russia and the unresolved issue of the “northern territories,” as Japan calls the Russian islands of Kunashir, Shikotan, Iturup, and a number of territories of the Lesser Kuril ridge, cause deep regret. This was announced on February 7 by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in a video address to the annual national convention for the “return of the northern territories.”
As he recalled, the situation when 75 years have passed since the Second World War, but the problem of territories has not been resolved, and the countries have not concluded a peace treaty, is a matter of great regret.
“In September last year, shortly after I became prime minister, we had a telephone conversation with President (of Russia Vladimir) Putin and agreed to continue the dialogue, including the conclusion of a peace treaty,” RIA Novosti quotes Suga …
According to the Japanese Prime Minister, the holding of the congress, despite the coronavirus epidemic, “carries a deep meaning.”
The convention is held annually on the so-called Northern Territories Day, which is celebrated in Japan on February 7th. It is traditionally attended by the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and other members of the government. This year, due to the coronavirus epidemic, it was decided to hold the congress without guests in the hall, online.
As Gazeta.ru reminds, Yoshihide Suga, who was elected chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Japan in 2020, said that he would continue to discuss with Russia the issue of the ownership of the islands of the southern part of the Kuril Islands.
As a result of World War II, Russia and Japan never signed a peace treaty due to Tokyo’s claims to the islands of Kunashir, Iturup, Shikotan and a number of territories of the Lesser Kuril ridge. Japan continues to consider them its northern territories, although as a result of the war they crossed over to the USSR.