The Kremlin stated on Friday that relations with Japan have been reduced to zero due to Tokyo's "unfriendly" stance toward Russia, with no ongoing dialogue toward peace. Russia and Japan have never signed a formal World War II peace treaty, the main obstacle being an unresolved territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Russia's relations with Japan "have been reduced to zero" due to what he described as Tokyo's "unfriendly stance" toward Moscow. Speaking at a daily briefing, Peskov stated, "There is no dialogue, and it is impossible to discuss the issue of a peace treaty without dialogue." He added, "Russia has never been in favor of ending this dialogue," and "Under these circumstances, it is unlikely that any agreements can be reached without changing the modalities of our relations."
In her inaugural address to parliament on the same day, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said, "Although Japan-Russia relations are in a tough spot, the Japanese government’s position remains unchanged, aiming to resolve the territorial issue and conclude a peace treaty," according to Russia's TASS state news agency. Russia and Japan have never signed a formal World War II peace treaty, with the unresolved territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands—known in Japan as the Northern Territories—serving as the primary obstacle.
Peskov's remarks come amid Japan's alignment with Western sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine conflict, highlighting the need for improved relations to restart dialogue on the long-standing territorial issue.