TOKYO (Sputnik) – Japan and Russia haven't signed a peace treaty in over 70 years because of a disagreement over four islands, which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and Japan refers to as the Northern Territories. The disputed islands, located in the Sea of Okhotsk, were claimed by Soviet forces at the end of WWII.
"The return of the Northern Territories and the signing of a peace treaty is a longtime desire of the Japanese people. We [the government] want to fulfill it, while the initial inhabitants of the island are still in good health," Kyodo news agency quoted Abe as saying.
In September 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Abe held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, agreeing to step up negotiations on a mutually acceptable solution to their countries' territorial dispute.
According to media reports, Abe could make an unofficial visit to Russia in late April or early May and meet with Putin during his visit.
