Japan and the Russia have never signed a peace treaty after World War II because of conflicting claims on the Islands North of the Japanese island of Hokkaido, the Japan calls its “Northern Territories”. When asked about Putin at a news conference,Mr. Abe said, “We recognize both that 70 years after the end of the war, failing to find a peace treaty is abnormal.”
“But without a meeting at the Summit to this problem from Northern Territories could not be resolved,” said Abe. It alsostated that it was crucial that the Russia playing a constructive role in the fight against terrorism and the crises in Iran andSyria.
Since taking office at the end of 2012, Abe has sought to make progress on improving relations with the Russia, but theconflict in Ukraine and other issues have complicated this effort. Several tentative plans for a visit by Putin to the Japan havebeen laid off because of Western concerns about the involvement of the Russia in such crises.
Tokyo considers this a good time to ask for negotiations with Moscow on the territorial dispute, given the desire of Russia tostimulate foreign investment in his region in the far East and its economic difficulties of Exchange, local media reportedrecently.
The four disputed islands were seized by the Soviet Union in 1945. Earlier speculation suggested a compromise could allowcountries to divide control of the Islands: Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai islet group.
Over the past years, the two countries have sought to encourage greater development of the region rich in resources, withlimited success. Describing his achievements over the past years, Abe also said relations often strained by Japan with China and South Korea are “normalization” following a Summit in Seoul he hopes further progress.