Japan needs to recognize WWII results for talks on peace treaty with Russia - ambassador

TOKYO, December 22. /TASS/. Russian Ambassador to Japan Yevgeny Afanasyev has stressed the importance of recognizing the results of the World War II for holding talks on the Russia-Japan peace treaty. "The recognition of the World War II results is important for advancing talks on the peace treaty (between Russia and Japan)," Afanasyev said at a press conference in the National press club on Tuesday. The diplomat said to solve this issue the sides need to "develop ties in all the spheres and build relationship of trust." The long-running dispute over the Southern Kuril Islands remains the main obstacle for the settlement in the relations between Russia and Japan and signing of the peace treaty. After the end of the World War II, all the Kuril islands were declared the territory of the Soviet Union. Japan claims Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Khabomai as part of its territory. Read more