“This was the prime minister’s routine statement at the opening of the regular session of parliament. It repeats what we have heard a thousand times before - that Japan will strive to conclude a peace treaty based on the solution of the territorial problem. The solution to the territorial problem means obtaining the four southern Kuril Islands - Iturup, Shikotan, Kunashir and Habomai, which Japan considers to be its ancestral territories and demands to be returned. No compromises, only four islands,” explained RT’s interlocutor.
At the same time, he emphasized that Russia’s principled position is that there are no territorial issues in relations with Japan.
“I think that the Prime Minister of Japan is posing the question purely rhetorically, realizing that a negative reaction from Russia is guaranteed, and there can be no other reaction. The chair under Kisida is shaking, in the fall, in September, his term as chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party expires, they say that he can already be written off,” the expert added.
In these conditions, according to Kistanov, he is apparently trying to score points in the external sphere.
“Given that on the domestic front - economic, political - he is a complete failure, his rating is extremely low, judging by public opinion polls. And this problem is a win-win: “Bad Russia “took” the islands from Japan, we need to return them, let’s do it.” Moreover, February 7, Northern Territories Day, is approaching, when a national rally is held in Japan, the Prime Minister makes a speech... We will soon see this action, this show,” the analyst concluded.
Earlier, Kishida announced plans to conclude a peace treaty with Russia after resolving the dispute over the Kuril Islands.
According to the politician, Tokyo will continue to promote sanctions pressure against the backdrop of the situation in Ukraine and will provide support to Kyiv.