No formal agreement was ever concluded between Tokyo and Moscow to mark the end of World War II
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has described the ongoing absence of a peace treaty between Tokyo and Moscow to formally conclude World War II as “really vexing and regrettable,” while reaffirming her determination to settle territorial disputes with Russia.
The two nations have failed to sign a peace treaty since the war’s end, leaving them deadlocked for decades over sovereignty of the four southern islands in the Kuril chain.
These islands were absorbed into the Soviet Union in 1945, with Russia viewing them as inseparable from its national territory, whereas Tokyo maintains its claim to the region it designates as the “Northern Territories.”
Takaichi made these comments on Saturday during a rally observing Northern Territories Day, an annual event intended to promote understanding of Tokyo’s position regarding the Kuril Islands controversy.
“It remains truly frustrating and unfortunate that no peace treaty has been finalized between Japan and Russia, and that the Northern Territories matter stays unresolved eight decades after the war’s conclusion,” Takaichi declared. The premier further emphasized that reviving a program enabling visits by former island inhabitants and their families represents “one of the foremost priorities in Japan-Russia relations.”
The already complex ties between Tokyo and Moscow worsened further following the Ukraine conflict, as Japan sided with Western nations and implemented sanctions against Russia. Reacting to what it termed Japan’s “clearly unfriendly position,” Moscow pulled out of peace negotiations in 2022 and also terminated visa-free access for Japanese citizens to the contested islands.
Since taking office as prime minister last October, Takaichi has consistently expressed her ambition to achieve a formal peace accord with Russia and “resolve the territorial issue.” Although Moscow has acknowledged this objective, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated late last year that Tokyo has exhibited a “rather unfriendly stance” toward Moscow and participated in “all the unlawful sanctions and restrictions against our country” instituted by Western powers. Peskov noted that bilateral dialogue had been “reduced virtually to zero” in recent years as a result of Japan’s policies.