OREANDA-NEWS. Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, intends to negotiate on the southern part of the Kuril Islands at the highest level. He stated this during speech in parliament, which was broadcast on the air of the national public television. Suga plans to develop relations with Russia and sign a peace treaty.

“We need to finish the negotiations on the northern territories, not postponing it until the next generations. With the help of a frank dialogue at the level of top leaders, I will strive for the comprehensive development of relations with Russia, including the signing of a peace treaty,” the politician said.

Japan disputes the sovereignty of Russia over the four islands of the southern part of the Kuril Islands: Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai. This is the main obstacle to signing a peace treaty. The islands fell under Russian control after the Second World War.

Suga took office on September 16. Since then, he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other nation leaders.