The Japanese government intends to offer Russia not to make each other claims for mutual compensation for the South Kuril Islands. This was reported by the publication Yomiuri, citing its sources.
This idea is planned to be voiced during the next round of negotiations between the countries.
Talking about compensation can lead to complications in the relationship
Previously, the Japanese side believed the South Kurils occupied lands. According to the Japanese, Russia, being the successor of the USSR, is obliged to pay monetary compensation to a significant number of Japanese refugees who were forced during the fighting to leave the Kuril Islands and return to Japan. That is why the Japanese government reserved the right to seek compensation for these lands. Currently, the Japanese authorities have changed their point of view, believing that such a requirement would lead to complications between countries.
As a result of the Second World War, no peace treaty was concluded between the countries. The territorial dispute over the second part of the Southern Kuriles, namely the Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai islands, became a key obstacle to its signing.
The Japanese authorities call these islands "northern territories" and do not recognize Russian sovereignty over them. Moscow denies the very existence of a dispute about their territorial affiliation.
