RUSSIA

Q.

What are the prospects for resolving the Northern Territories Issue?

A.

It is a consistent policy of Japan toward Russia to conclude a peace treaty with Russia by resolving the Northern Territories Issue, thus achieving the full normalization of Japan-Russia relations. The full normalization of relations between the two countries is important for the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

Ever since President Yeltsin visited Japan in October 1993 and signed the Tokyo Declaration, Japan and Russia have repeatedly reaffirmed that their bilateral relation be advanced on the basis of the Tokyo Declaretion.

When Prime Minister Hashimoto took office in January of this year, Prime Minister Hashimoto sent a return message to President Yeltsin who had sent a congratulatory message to him. In that he emphasized the importance of the resolution of Northern Territories Issue and asked for President Yeltsin's cooperation in promoting bilateral relations based on the Tokyo Declaration.

Although the situation of Russia remains uncertain, and the current state of the Northern Territories Issue does not allow optimism. We will continue to urge Russia to take serious efforts to move forward,if only one step at a time,toward a resolution of the Northen Territories Issue, in view that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Japan-Soviet Joint Declaretion that restored diplomatic relations between the two countries.