Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has expressed determination to negotiate the return of the northern territories amid a standstill in diplomacy with Moscow since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"The Japan-Russia relationship is in a difficult situation, but we stand firm in our policy to resolve the territorial issue and conclude a peace treaty," Kishida said at a rally in Tokyo on Tuesday at which participants called for the return of the northern territories.
The prime minister said it is "truly regrettable" that the territorial issue has not been resolved. "It is essential for the government and the people to work together as one," he stressed.
