politics

February 21, 2026

Japan's PM reaffirms intent to sign peace treaty with Russia

Sanae Takaichi criticized Russia's actions in Ukraine, calling for an immediate end to the conflict

Japan's PM reaffirms intent to sign peace treaty with Russia

TL;DR

  • Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the government's position on resolving territorial disputes and signing a peace treaty with Russia is unchanged.
  • Bilateral relations between Japan and Russia are currently described as difficult.
  • Takaichi criticized Russia's actions in Ukraine and called for an immediate end to the conflict.
  • The main obstacle to a peace treaty has been the dispute over sovereignty of the southern Kuril Islands since World War II.
  • Russia suspended peace treaty negotiations with Japan in March 2022 in response to Japan's unilateral restrictions.
  • Moscow also withdrew from talks on establishing joint ventures in the southern Kuril Islands.

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