Ms Kawaguti said at a news conference in Moscow that it was necessary to accelerate work over the peace treaty at the level of experts in line with directives from the two countries' leaders.
Russia is taking a similar position on the matter, which is evidenced from the results of Moscow talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Japan believes the upcoming visit to Japan by Russian President Vladimir Putin, due early next year, will hopefully bring major breakthroughs in the matter, according to Ms Kawaguti.
Ms Kawaguti said she would discuss arrangements for the Russian president's visit with Mr Lavrov at a meeting that would take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly Session in New York in September and during Mr Lavrov's official visit to Japan due in early 2005.
The Japanese minister said Japan did not intend to pull out troops from Iraq.
The Japanese government is not considering withdrawing the self defence troops from Iraq, said Ms Kawaguti. She recalled that the Japanese troops had been sent to Iraq to help rebuild the country and were now deployed in the south.
The self defence troops are providing medical aid, helping restore water supply, roads, schools and other civilian facilities. The Iraqi people welcome the Japanese troops' presence in their country, according to the minister.
