TOKYO (Sputnik) – According to the NHK broadcaster, Masahiko Komura will arrive in Moscow on January 10, 2016, with a four-day visit with a delegation of lawyers.
During his visit, Komura plans to meet Sergei Naryshkin, the speaker of Russia's lower house, the State Duma, to discuss economic cooperation and the ongoing territorial dispute regarding the Kuril Islands.
Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met on the sidelines of the UN climate talks in Paris. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the sides discussed Putin visiting the Japanese capital of Tokyo. Peskov added that Abe’s visit to Russia was possible prior to the Japan visit of the Russian leader. In June, Abe confirmed that Putin was welcome to visit Japan at a time convenient for both sides during a phone conversation with the Russian leader.
Russia and Japan's relations have been strained over the Kuril Islands, which are controlled by Russia, but claimed by Japan.
The relations between two countries deteriorated after Tokyo announced support for certain Western economic sanctions against Russia imposed in 2014 over an alleged interference in the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine.
