Japan seeks to break deadlock with Russia over disputed Kuril Islands

Japan has pledged to continue efforts to resolve its long-standing territorial dispute with Russia over a group of islands off Hokkaido, as the two countries mark the 70th anniversary of a joint declaration that called for the partial return of these territories.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said at a press conference in Tokyo on Monday that "even amid the deteriorating state of Japan-Russia relations, we will maintain necessary communications with the Russian side and work to break the current deadlock," according to Japan's Kyodo news agency.

The 1956 agreement, which restored diplomatic ties between Japan and the then-Soviet Union, stipulated the return of two of the four disputed islands—Shikotan and the Habomai group—after a peace treaty was signed. In Japan, these islands are known as the "Northern Territories," while Russia refers to them as the "Southern Kurils."

The decades-old dispute, which also involves the islands of Kunashiri and Etorofu, has prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty since World War II. Tokyo claims the Soviet Union illegally seized the islands shortly after Japan's surrender in August 1945, while Moscow insists its control is legitimate.

Japan and Russia agreed in 2018 to advance negotiations based on the joint declaration, but talks were suspended in 2022 following Russia's intervention in Ukraine. Prospects for resuming negotiations remain slim, especially as relations have worsened due to Japan's participation in sanctions against Moscow.

Tensions have further escalated recently, with Japan lodging a protest after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited one of the disputed islands in August.