TV Asahi reported at noon that according to sources, Russian President Putin has been asking Prime Minister Abe to sign an official document with President Trump promising that no U.S. bases will be established in the Northern Territories if Russia hands them over to Japan. The network said that although President Putin has expressed concern in the past about the possibility of U.S. troops being deployed to the Northern Territories, this is the first indication that the Russian leader has been asking for an agreement between the Japanese and U.S. leaders. The network said this request sets a high bar for Japan. The network said that according to Russian government officials, Putin is asking for an official agreement between the two leaders since an informal agreement could be voided in the future.