Japan-Russia Relations
Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
February 17, 2017
On Friday, February 17, commencing at 12:10 p.m. (8:10 p.m. on the same day in Japan) for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is visiting Bonn, Germany for the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held a Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Mr. Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
1. Issue of concluding a peace treaty
Based on the sincere determination by the leaders of Japan and Russia to resolve the peace treaty issue, the ministers agreed to closely discuss the issue and seek progress in discussions about joint economic activities on the four islands and about visits to the four islands by former island residents. To accomplish this, they agreed to hold an official discussion on joint economic activities and other matters in Tokyo on March 18.
2. Dialogue on security
The ministers agreed to hold the Japan-Russia Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultation (“2+2” Ministerial Meeting) in Tokyo on March 20. Minister Kishida noted that at this next “2+2” Ministerial Meeting, he hoped to have a constructive discussion from the standpoint of maintaining mutual communications between Japan and Russia in light of increasingly difficult regional situations, including North Korea.
Additionally, the ministers agreed that the Japan-Russia Strategic Dialogue will take place between Mr. Shinsuke Sugiyama, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Vladimir Gennadievich Titov, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, in Tokyo on March 30.
Additionally, the ministers agreed that the Japan-Russia Strategic Dialogue will take place between Mr. Shinsuke Sugiyama, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Vladimir Gennadievich Titov, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, in Tokyo on March 30.
3. North Korea
Following North Korea’s missile launch, the ministers agreed to strongly urge North Korea to refrain from further provocations and comply with United Nations Security Council resolutions and other agreements. They also confirmed that they will cooperate closely, including at the United Nations.