Russian FM Sergei Lavrov and Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida discuss territory dispute

(1 Nov 2013) Japan and Russia agreed to deepen trust and continue discussions on a territorial dispute that has kept the nations from signing a peace treaty, as the two countries began high-level talks on Friday in Tokyo.
In preliminary talks between Foreign Ministers Sergei Lavrov and Fumio Kishida, the top diplomats agreed to discuss territorial issues in a constructive and calm atmosphere.
It is unclear how much progress is being made howard toward a resolution of a dispute over four islands that were seized by Soviet forces at the end of World War II.
Russia's Itar-Tass news agency downplayed the likelihood of any major breakthroughs, noting that the main issues in the dispute are being handled by deputy foreign ministers.
The dispute has kept the two nations from signing a peace treaty formally ending their World War II hostilities.
"Our leaders have agreed that the dialogue with develop in a constructive manner, in the context of the strengthening the general atmosphere of our relations, without emotional outbursts and public polemics which in the past have more than once put into doubt the possibility of continuing the talks," Lavrov told a news conference through an interpreter.
Japan and Russia did agree on Friday to facilitate cooperation and further expand their trade and investment links.
The two men agreed to hold vice-ministerial talks in late January or February ahead of Kishida's planned visit to Russia in the spring.
"I pointed out that we foreign ministers should lead the development of Japan-Russia relations in a wide variety of sectors, beginning with negotiations on concluding a peace treaty," Kishida said.
The main discussions among the two ministers and Defence Ministers Sergei Shoigu and Itsunori Onodera are scheduled for Saturday.
Japan is seeking to broaden its defence ties, in addition to its key security alliance with the United States, in response to China's growing military presence and threats from North Korea.
Russia has been expanding its trade ties in Asia and President Vladimir Putin has actively sought closer relations with Japan, partly as a counter to China's rising military power.
The two sides have also stepped up cooperation in developing energy resources, especially liquefied natural gas.
Kishida said trade between the two countries totalled a record 33 billion (b) US dollars last year, and even further growth is expected this year.

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