Japan seeks more territorial talks with Russia

Japanese leaders hope next year to push forward a territorial issue with Russia over islands that country holds in the north of Japan. They are pursuing dialogue at various levels. High-level talks between the two nations were energized in 2013. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks on four occasions. And the ministers of foreign affairs and defense held their first meetings in November, according to Japan's (NHK WORLD) website. At the top of the agenda has been the territorial dispute over the four islands which Russia controls and Japan claims. The Japanese government maintains they are an inherent part of Japan's territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two. But some officials in Tokyo say diplomats in Moscow are not moving forward in addressing the issue. Thus they are looking to assess Russia's position during the planned meeting of vice foreign ministers scheduled in Tokyo next month. The government is working to schedule a meeting between Japan's Prime Minister Abe and Russia's President Putin during the Sochi Olympics in February. Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida is also planning to visit Moscow at the end of April. By holding talks at various levels, Japan aims to deepen the relationship with Russia and push for a solution on the territorial dispute.