The government is considering signing a post-World War II peace treaty with Russia without insisting on Moscow's recognition of Japanese ownership of four islands at the center of a territorial dispute between the two countries, government sources said Tuesday.
Hoping to make progress on a treaty when President Vladimir Putin visits Japan in December, the government will review its negotiation strategy, aiming to settle the issue with Russia initially by handing over two smaller islands of the four held by Russia off Hokkaido, the sources said.
In the negotiations with Russia, the government plans to use the term "hand over" in relation to Shikotan and the Habomai group, instead of "return," citing the joint declaration's terminology.