(Mainichi: September 4, 2015 – p. 5)

 At a press conference on Sept. 3, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga criticized remarks by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov that the Northern Territories issue “was resolved 70 years ago.” Suga said: “We absolutely cannot accept this because what he said clearly runs counter to the agreement between the leaders of Japan and Russia and bilateral negotiations.”

 Morgulov insisted in an interview with the Interfax news agency on Sept. 2 that “Russia will never hold a dialogue on the Kuril issue (Northern Territories issue).” In response, Suga said in the press conference: “The issue of sovereignty over the four islands that constitute the Northern Territories is at the top of the agenda in negotiations for the conclusion of a peace treaty.” He also pointed out that the joint statement issued in 2013 stipulated that “the two countries agreed to promote talks based on the view that the issue of ownership of the four islands has not been resolved.”