Japan-Russia Relations
Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
July 31, 2018
On July 31, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Mr. Lavrov, Sergey Viktorovich, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, (third time this year, sixth time in total; lasted approximately one hour and 30 minutes). The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Upcoming political dialogue and bilateral relations
- The two ministers confirmed that Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, will visit Russia in September and hold a meeting with H.E. Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of Russia, in Vladivostok, if circumstances permit. They agreed to accelerate preparations for the coming meeting. They also shared the view that they will collaborate closely.
2. Issue of concluding a peace treaty
- With regard to the Joint economic activities on the Four Northern Islands, the two ministers shared the view that a “business mission”, which mainly consists of businessmen, will be sent to the Four Islands from August 16 to 20, that a Japan-Russia vice-ministerial-level consultation will be held before the Summit Meeting in September, based on outcomes of the mission, and that they will make thorough preparations for them.
- The two ministers welcomed that humanitarian measures for the former island residents, including the holding of a grave visit by airplane for the second straight year, are being realized one by one. They also confirmed that they will continue to advance such initiatives.
3. Economy
- The two ministers confirmed that for the next Summit Meeting, they will cooperate to make further advances, including by giving them shape in the “Eight-Point Cooperation Plan”.