National Jul 26, 2021
The visit to Etorofu Island by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is the first trip to the disputed isles by a prime minister since August 2019.
National / Politics Jul 24, 2021
Russia considers 'unprecedented' joint activity proposals with Japan
The future of the northwestern Pacific islands is at the center of a long-standing territorial dispute.
National / Politics Jun 5, 2021
Putin says Russia ready to continue peace treaty talks with Japan
It was the first time the Russian leader said the bilateral talks should go on after a constitutional change barred the country from transferring territory to any foreign power.
National May 31, 2021
Japanese government confirms safety of sailors detained by Russia
The Russian border security agency has said the sailors' vessel entered Russia's exclusive economic zone and illegally fished there.
National May 29, 2021
The boat was detained in the country's "exclusive economic zone in the Okhotsk Sea," the border guard service said in a statement.
National May 26, 2021
Three dead after Japanese fishing boat collides with Russian ship
A Japanese fishing boat collided with a 662-ton Russian ship and capsized off Hokkaido on Wednesday, leaving three crew members dead, local authorities said.
National May 23, 2021
Soviet Union sought end to island row in 1972 amid Japan-China thaw
Japan and the Soviet Union did not come to a compromise due to Tokyo's insistence on the return of all four islands.
National May 3, 2021
Suga sees little progress on North Korea abductions and Russian-held islands
Speaking to a House of Councilors lawmaker on Wednesday, the prime minister said that he first needed to focus on getting the pandemic under control.
Commentary / Japan Feb 18, 2021
Why Japan’s territorial disputes are so hard to resolve
by Michael MacArthur Bosack
Next week, Shimane Prefecture will celebrate the relatively young Takeshima Day, which will invariably invite protest from the South Korean government.
National Feb 15, 2021
Putin signals Russia will not negotiate with Japan over territorial dispute
It was the first time the Russian leader publicly indicated he will not respond to Tokyo's claims on four Russian-held islands, based on new constitutional amendments.
National Jan 27, 2021
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi urged Moscow on Tuesday to release Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny and peaceful protestors from detention, joining the United States and the European Union in expressing concerns over the crackdown. "The Japanese government is closely watching (the situation) with concern. We ...
National Dec 2, 2020
Russia deploys advanced S-300 missiles on disputed islands off Japan
Moscow said in October it planned to deploy the missile system on the islands for the first time, but that the move would be part of military drills and not for combat duty.