Russo-Japanese relations continue to develop steadily but are complicated by Tokyo’s continued territorial claims to the South Kurils archipelago.
Russia-Japan cultural exchange plays a special role in promoting the bilateral ties between the countries. The year 2018 has been announced as a Russo-Japanese cross-culture year.
More and more Japanese citizens are traveling visa-free to the south Kurils under the July 2, 1986 agreement on mutual visits to Japanese and Russian burial sites.