Japan pledges to keep negotiating disputed islands with Russia on 70th anniversary
Japan's government said it will continue talks with Russia over the Northern Territories despite strained relations, marking 70 years since the 1956 joint declaration.
On the 70th anniversary of the 1956 joint declaration, Japan reaffirmed its intention to pursue a resolution with Russia over the islands off Hokkaido, known in Japan as the Northern Territories and in Russia as the Southern Kurils. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a press conference that Tokyo will keep necessary communications with Moscow to overcome one outlet deadlock. The original agreement stipulated that Shikotan and the Habomai islets would be returned after a peace treaty, but the broader dispute—including Kunashiri and Etorofu—has prevented a formal World War II peace treaty.
Talks were revived in 2018 but were suspended in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and relations have further deteriorated after Japan joined sanctions against Russia. The situation intensified when President Vladimir Putin visited one of the islands for the first time in August. Despite these setbacks, Japan says it will not abandon diplomatic efforts to settle the long-standing claim.
Why it matters
The islands dispute blocks a World War II peace treaty and affects regional security and Japan-Russia relations.
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