"At the recent session of the UN General Assembly, the leaders of Japan and Russia confirmed the political will to advance the negotiations, and although problems exist on the issue of a peace treaty and territorial problems…we look forward to a frank exchange of views," Suga said at a news conference.
He noted that Japan "welcomes the continuation of contacts with Russia, including a dialogue at the highest level."
Japan and Russia never signed a permanent peace treaty after World War II due to a disagreement over the Kuril Islands in the Sea of Okhotsk. All of the Kurils have been administered by the Soviet Union and later Russia since the end of World War II, however the Japanese government still lays claim to the islands.
During bilateral talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last month, the Japanese prime minister and the Russian president agreed to step up negotiations for a mutually acceptable solution to the territorial dispute.
