Japan to drop Russia's demand for compensation for Kuril Islands to sign peace treaty
The Japanese government may ask Moscow to abandon its joint claims to any compensation related to the Southern Kuril Islands, the Yomiuri newspaper wrote, citing sources.
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| The South Kuril Islands. Photo: Sputnik |
It is believed that this proposal will be announced during the next round of talks on a peace treaty between the two countries. According to press sources, the relevant document may be signed simultaneously with the peace treaty. The supplementary agreement is expected to help complete the post-war process and strengthen bilateral relations.
Previously, the Japanese government believed that the Southern Kurils had been "occupied" since World War II and that Tokyo had the right to demand "compensation" from Moscow for this. However, Japan now believes that such statements will hinder negotiations on concluding a peace treaty.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed on January 7 to make every effort to complete negotiations with Russia on a peace treaty, saying there would be a “historic turning point” in the territorial dispute between the two countries this year.
