MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the agency's sources, Japanese interpretation of the declaration implies that the fate of all four islands should be discussed, "not just a portion of them."
The administration of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to make sure that both sides “are on the same page” before inviting Russian leader to visit the country this year, the sources added.
In June, Abe confirmed the invitation to the Russian president to visit Japan at a time convenient for both sides.
In April, the Russian president said that Moscow had not changed its stance on the disputed Kuril Islands, but was ready to continue dialogue with Japan on the issue.
Japan and Russia never signed a permanent peace treaty following the end of hostilities in World War II, because of a disagreement over four islands, which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and Japan the Northern Territories. The disputed islands, located in the Sea of Okhotsk — Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai — were given to Soviet forces at the end of World War II and are still claimed by Japan.
Russia has repeatedly offered to return Tokyo two minor islands, but Japan has claimed the entire territory. Currently, the dispute between the countries remains unresolved.
