Japan-Russia Relations
Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
March 20, 2017
On March 20, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (second time this year, ninth time in total; lasted approximately three hours including the working lunch) with Mr. Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, who was visiting Japan for the Japan-Russia Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultation (“2+2” Ministerial Meeting). The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Japan-Russia relations
The ministers affirmed that Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, will visit Russia late April and hold a Summit Meeting with Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of Russia if circumstances permit. The ministers agreed to accelerate preparations for the coming meeting.
The ministers also agreed to accelerate work for implementing the “Japan Year in Russia” and “Russia Year in Japan” in 2018.
The ministers also agreed to accelerate work for implementing the “Japan Year in Russia” and “Russia Year in Japan” in 2018.
2. Negotiations for concluding a peace treaty
The ministers affirmed that they would make progress in close consultation with each other based on both leaders’ sincere determination to resolve this issue, which was expressed at the Summit Meeting in Yamaguchi last year.
With regard to joint economic activities, following the discussions at the Japan-Russia vice-ministerial consultation on March 18, the ministers affirmed that the two sides would deepen their discussions, including projects prioritization and examining the necessary legal foundation.
With regard to grave visits by former islands’ residents, the ministers affirmed to proceed with coordination to establish additional entry/exit points, as well as to proceed with conducting practical reviews on the feasibility of visiting the four islands by aircraft.
With regard to joint economic activities, following the discussions at the Japan-Russia vice-ministerial consultation on March 18, the ministers affirmed that the two sides would deepen their discussions, including projects prioritization and examining the necessary legal foundation.
With regard to grave visits by former islands’ residents, the ministers affirmed to proceed with coordination to establish additional entry/exit points, as well as to proceed with conducting practical reviews on the feasibility of visiting the four islands by aircraft.
3. International situation
The ministers discussed the situations in Syria and Ukraine. Minister Kishida urged Russia to play a constructive role for improving the situations.