Japan and Russia have agreed to speed up talks over four Russian-controlled islands off Hokkaido in northern Japan, which are claimed by Japan.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Japan this fall to help achieve the goal as per the agreement reached between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the G8 summit in Northern Ireland on Monday.
They also agreed to hold vice-ministerial-level talks over the territorial dispute, Japanese media reported.
The northern islands were seized by the erstwhile Soviet Union immediately after World War II, and since then Russia has been controlling the islands.
Abe and Putin also confirmed policy coordination over North Korea's disputed nuclear program, sharing the view that the G8 countries should keep sending the message to the North that they will never allow the country to possess nuclear weapons.
Putin told Abe that Japan-Russia relations were extremely important. The two leaders are expected to meet again on the sidelines of a G20 summit scheduled for September in Russia.
Talking to reporters, Abe said other G8 leaders had recognized Japan's economic recovery as a positive factor for the global economy. He explained to them why Japan required drastic measures to pull the country out of deflation, and why it needed further growth strategies. Abe also discussed with them how G8 countries should proceed to ensure economic growth, while steadily restoring fiscal discipline.
During his talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Abe stressed his intention to boost Japan's fiscal health.
Referring to Abe's economic policy, Merkel said she understands the need to pull Japan out of deflation, but expressed concern over Japan's huge fiscal deficit.
Abe also struck a deal with his British counterpart David Cameron on intelligence-sharing as part of a plan to boost defense cooperation between the two countries.
They also concluded a pact to jointly develop defense equipment, and accordingly experts of the two countries will collaborate to create chemical protective suits. It will be Japan's second such arrangement with a foreign country after it struck a deal to work with the United States.
Abe and Cameron agreed to work toward a comprehensive pact to protect security information and share intelligence. The pact will be designed to enhance counter-terrorism measures, according to Japan's NHK broadcaster.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com