OREANDA-NEWS   Tokyo still adheres to the intention of concluding a peace treaty with Russia. This was stated by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, RIA Novosti reports.

At the same time, he recalled, Japan's position has not changed and consists in the fact that the signing of the document is possible "after the resolution of the problem of the northern territories." This is how the islands of the Southern Kuriles are called in Tokyo.

The Minister also noted that issues of economic activity, such as fishing or shipping safety, Japan and Russia should be solved as neighboring countries. However, "Japan will proceed from its national interests in its actions," Hayashi said.

On January 30, the Secretary General of the Government of Japan, Hirokazu Matsuno, condemned Russia's position on agreements on sea fishing for Japanese fishermen off the Southern Kuril Islands. For the first time in 22 years, Russia has refused to hold such consultations with Japan, which will negatively affect the catch in the coming months. According to the Kyodo news agency, the reason for the incident was the deteriorating relations between the countries against the background of anti-Russian sanctions.

Moscow and Tokyo cannot sign a peace treaty following the Second World War. Japan considers the islands of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and the Habomai Island group as its northern territories. In turn, Russia does not recognize the very fact of the territorial dispute.