Japan's New PM Takaichi Ready for Peace Treaty with Russia

The government of Japan is determined to conclude a peace treaty with Russia, despite the difficult situation in bilateral relations. This was announced by the country's newly appointed Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, in her policy speech in parliament on the occasion of assuming her post.

"Despite the difficult situation in Japanese-Russian relations, the policy of the Japanese government is aimed at resolving the territorial issue and concluding a peace treaty," the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper quoted the prime minister as saying.

In her speech, Takaichi noted that the world community is facing "historical changes in the balance of power" and an exacerbation of geopolitical competition. In this context, she promised to revive Japan's diplomacy, which "will flourish in the center of the world."

Referring to Tokyo's foreign policy priorities, the prime minister emphasized that the "cornerstone of diplomacy and policy" in the field of Japanese security is the alliance with the United States. Takaichi stressed that on this basis, Japan plans to deepen "formats of multilateral consultations on security issues." In addition, Tokyo intends to continue to promote the idea of a "free and open Indo-Pacific region."

Earlier, on October 22, Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi reaffirmed that Japan intends to sign a peace treaty with the Russian side only after the settlement of the territorial issue. However, according to him, at present, it is impossible to say anything specific about this issue, since the Japanese side is providing support to Kyiv, and Moscow will not be able to turn a blind eye to this fact.