According to a report from Kommersant, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida voiced a deep sense of regret over the continued absence of a peace agreement with Russia.
In his remarks, the premier reaffirmed Japan’s enduring aim to secure such an agreement, signaling that the issue remains a priority at the highest levels of government despite the passing years.
He stated, with clear emotion, that it is highly regrettable that, 77 years after the conclusion of World War II, the dispute over the northern territories remains unsettled and no peace treaty has yet been signed between the two nations, a situation that continues to constrain bilateral relations and regional stability.
Earlier, a declaration from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated Japan’s participation in the ceiling price for Russian petroleum products, a measure established by the G7 and set to take effect on February 5. This decision reflects Japan’s alignment with broader international efforts to curb Russia’s energy exports while balancing domestic economic considerations.
Before that, Dmitry Peskov, the presidential press secretary in Russia, spoke at a briefing with journalists about whether Moscow is prepared to engage in diplomacy with Tokyo on a peace agreement. He asserted that Tokyo has shown little constructive momentum in bilateral negotiations, suggesting that meaningful dialogue between the two governments has stalled and that prospects for any breakthrough are limited without new approaches from Tokyo.
Observers note that the exchange underscores the long-standing sensitivity surrounding the northern territories and the broader strategic dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region. For Japan, the issue is tied to national security concerns, postwar memory, and regional diplomacy, while Russia maintains its own stance on sovereignty and regional influence. The current diplomatic atmosphere appears to be shaped by competing narratives and a lack of consensus on a practical path forward, complicating efforts to move from rhetoric to concrete steps that could lead to a treaty. Analysts in both capitals emphasize the importance of confidence-building measures and sustained engagement, alongside clear benchmarks that could eventually pave the way for formal negotiations. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, recognizing that any progress would carry implications for trade, security alliances, and the broader balance of power in the region. In this context, both Tokyo and Moscow face choices about how to translate long-standing positions into tangible diplomacy, even as public statements reflect frustration on all sides with the slow pace of progress.