Japan, Russia: Attempting to Resolve a Territorial Dispute

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, in his first major policy speech before the Diet, said he would strengthen relations with Russia, consider Moscow a "partner" in the region, and work to resolve the status of four islands occupied by Russia since the end of World War II. Even before taking office, Hatoyama sent feelers into Russia to gauge the potential for a resolution to the decades-old island issue. But Russia is waiting to see what Tokyo has to offer before it considers the transfer of territory.