Japan and Russia are set to resume the territorial talks under a precedent-breaking formula that may lead to the phased return of the Northern Territories, the group of islands off Hokkaido that the Russians have occupied since the end of World War II. A new round is expected to begin at a vice ministerial meeting in Moscow later this month.
Japan's position is that the handover of all four islands in dispute (Kunashiri, Etorofu, the Habomai group of rocky islets and Shikotan) is an essential condition for a full normalization of Russo-Japanese relations. So a settlement of the territorial issue is an integral part of the parallel talks on a pending peace treaty. That position needs to be maintained firmly along with patient efforts to win Russian understanding.
The Northern Territories issue has taken a twist recently amid allegations that Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Muneo Suzuki, who is reputed for his close affiliation with the Foreign Ministry, played a questionable role in forming Tokyo's policy toward Russia, including humanitarian assistance for Kunashiri Island. The scandal must be unraveled quickly and any policy deviations that may have occurred must be duly corrected. But the basic thrust of Japan's Russia policy -- signing a peace treaty while regaining sovereignty over the islands -- remains unchanged.