New Japanese FM favours partnership with Russia.

TOKYO, September 7 (Itar-Tass) - Koichiro Gemba, a new foreign
minister of Japan, would like to draw up "a concrete plan of the advance
of strategic partnership" with Russia, including joint economic activities
in the South Kurile Islands. He spoke about it in an interview with the
Mainichi newspaper, published on Wednesday, in which he set forth the main
directions of his diplomatic activities.
"The problem of the northern territories remains the only problem in
the Japanese-Russian relations, which has not been settled so far. Our
stand remains unchanged. It provides for the settlement of the territorial
problem and the signing of a peace treaty. Aside from it, we would like to
draw up a concrete plan of the advance of our strategic partnership with
Russia, including joint economic activities in the northern territories,"
he said.
Koichiro Gembo gave an interview to the Asahi newspaper, published on
Tuesday, in which he made it clear that he would assume an identical stand
with regard to the South Kurile Islands and the Takeshima (Dokdo) Islands,
which are under the control of Seoul and to which Japan is also laying
claim. According to the Japanese Foreign Minister, "those territories were
occupied and are managed in the form, which is legally groundless." He
served notice in this way that he did not recognize the rights of Russia
and South Korea to those islands, but avoided more comments and stronger
words.
Speaking with journalists on Monday, Gembo showed utmost restraint,
responding to the question about his attitude to the problem of the South
Kurile Islands and Takeshima (Dokdo). "I cannot accept what is
unacceptable and I shall speak openly about it," said Gembo, 47, who is
regarded as one of the most promising politicians in the ruling Democratic
Party of Japan.