Japanese Foreign Ministry told about its position on relations with Russia

They stressed that they abstain from forecasts.

"But the Japanese government, proceeding from national interests, intends to develop Japanese-Russian relations in broad spheres of politics, including the issue of concluding a peace treaty, as well as the economy and culture," RIA Novosti reported.

In late August, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation for health reasons. 

On September 16, the Japanese parliament approved Yoshihide Sugu as the new prime minister.