Abe Looking at Russia Visit Next Spring

Tokyo, Dec. 11 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is looking at visiting a Russian provincial area as early as next spring, following a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin last month, informed sources said. Abe's Russia visit "would likely take place in the first half of next year," a source familiar with relations between the two countries said. Possible destinations include Vladivostok in the Far East. During their talks on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Turkey last month, Putin told Abe that he would be pleased to meet the Japanese leader in a Russian provincial area. By accepting Putin's proposal, Abe apparently hopes to prevent his relationship with the Russian leader from worsening, as he is eager to advance territorial negotiations on four Russian-held islands, called the Northern Territories in Japan. The United States, however, is wary of the Japan-Russia relationship getting closer, amid tensions between the West and Russia over Syria and Ukraine. Given U.S. concerns, "much remains uncertain" about Abe's Russia visit, a Japanese government source said. Abe and Putin also agreed at the meeting in Turkey to continue work to realize a Japan visit by the Russian president at an appropriate time. Putin's Japan visit is seen as unlikely before the Japan-hosted Group of Seven summit next May, as Tokyo does not want to provoke criticism from its G-7 partners ahead of the summit. Putin could make his visit to Japan as early as after Japanese House of Councillors elections next summer, government sources said. END