Despite efforts to achieve peace with russia, Japan’s position on the Kuril Islands remains unchanged

Japan’s position regarding the Kuril Islands remains unchanged, despite the adamant response of the russian federation to the statement of Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida.

Sergiy Korsunsky, Ukraine’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan, made this statement during a briefing at Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform.

“Prime Minister Kishida has clearly stated, at the very beginning, when he became Prime Minister, that the northern territories are under the sovereignty of Japan, but we (Japan – Ed.) will continue to try to reach an understanding with russia through negotiations. Today it is impossible, all contacts at the level of governments have been halted, business transactions have actually been stopped or reduced to a minimum, but he made such a statement in his political speech,” the Ambassador explained.

He noted that despite russia’s reaction and their adamant response regarding the Kuril Islands issue, Japan’s political statement shows that the country’s position has not changed, and perhaps the country will return to solving this issue in the future.

“At the same time, I want to say that russia’s reaction was as usual – rude, adamant. Both medvedev and zakharova said that there was no chance for this. In general, medvedev said many very offensive things to Japan, as he often does. But this does not change the position of Japan. They behave with dignity, and they have always talked about it and continue to say that their interest is peace. And therefore, if they are going to raise this issue, then someday, with a normal russia, if it can ever become normal, perhaps they will return to this issue on a practical level. For now, this is a political statement that shows that Japan’s position is unchanged,” Sergiy Korsunsky emphasized.

As reported, Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida announced his intention to sign a peace treaty with russia after the settlement of the territorial issue around the Kuril Islands.

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