The American military presence in Japan has always been a stumbling block for the conclusion of a peace treaty between Moscow and Tokyo, the Kremlin said, quoted by Reuters, amid the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the United States today, where he will meet with President Joe Biden. writes BTA.
The meeting, the first at this level for the past nine years, should highlight close bilateral ties in the security and economic spheres. The two leaders are expected to discuss military-technical cooperation and the possible modernization of the US military command structure in Japan.
„In fact, the defense alliance is on its face and we know about the American military potential based in Japan – by the way, close to our borders," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “This has always been a stumbling block in trying to reach a settlement of the main issue between us, that of the peace treaty,”, he added.
Russia, the main successor to the Soviet Union, and Japan have still not concluded a peace treaty since the end of World War II. One of the most problematic issues in bilateral relations is that of sovereignty over the Kuril Islands.
Kishida, meanwhile, said his visit this week should highlight the strength of ties between his country and the United States.
„I want to confirm that Japan-US relations are even stronger than before and this [trip – note.ed.] will give a very important opportunity to demonstrate it to the world”, the Japanese Prime Minister told reporters before flying to Washington.