Japanese PM May Not Attend Moscow for WWII Victory Day Festivities

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may reportedly refrain from coming to Moscow for WWII Victory Day celebrations because of the lack of progress in the so-called South Kurils issue.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may not visit Moscow for its May 9 Victory Day celebrations commemorating the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in WWII due to the lack of progress in the so-called South Kuril Islands issue, according to the Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun.

The newspaper reported that Abe will officially announce his decision on the matter in mid-April.

The Sankei Shimbun attributed Abe's stance to the longstanding dispute over the Kuril Islands. The four southernmost islands in the Kurile archipelago were taken by the Soviet Union around the time of Japan's surrender in WWII, although the countries had contested control of the area since the 19th century.

Additionally, the newspaper referred to the refusal by leaders of the United States, Britain, France and Germany to participate in the Moscow celebrations. These countries are Japan's G-7 partners and their decision not to attend the Moscow festivities may influence Tokyo's decision to follow suit.

Earlier, Russia's presidential chief of staff Sergei Ivanov said that Russia will survive if foreign invitees don't attend the WWII Victory celebrations in Moscow.

According to him, 22 heads of state have already confirmed their participation in Moscow's Victory Day celebrations; they mainly include the leaders of CIS and Asian countries, as well as Israel.