Japan to continue talks with Russia over disputed islands

According to Kyodo, although he "deeply regretted" the August 22 visit of his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev to the disputed Southern Kurils (Tokyo calls them the Northern Territories), Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced on August 24 that he would continue dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin to resolve the issue.

The Southern Kurils. Photo: RIA Novosti

Speaking at a session of the Japanese House of Representatives Budget Committee, Mr. Abe said Tokyo will continue to seek a peace treaty with Moscow by resolving the above dispute, and called for efforts to promote negotiations.

The Southern Kurils fell to Soviet forces after Japan surrendered to the Allies in World War II in 1945, and the dispute has prevented Russia and Japan from reaching a postwar peace treaty.

According to Vietnam+