Japan, Russia could reach compromise over territorial row: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday Japan and Russia could reach a compromise over a territorial dispute involving Russian-administered islands off Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido if they follow the spirit of "hikiwake," a judo term for a draw. Putin said he was surprised that Japan has imposed sanctions, together with the United States and the European Union, on Russia over its annexation of Crimea, southern Ukraine, indicating his dissatisfaction with Japan's move. While Japan has suspended the negotiations process over a territorial dispute involving the islands, Russia stands ready to resume the talks, Putin said during a meeting in St. Petersburg with representatives of news agencies from major economies, including Japan's Kyodo News. While Putin has shown a willingness to visit Japan as early as fall at the invitation of Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the plan may be affected by strains over Crimea. The disputed islands -- Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai islet group -- were seized by the Soviet Union following Japan's surrender in World War II on Aug. 15, 1945, and the territorial row has prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty. Putin said the sovereignty of Shikotan and the Habomai islet group is on the agenda of the bilateral talks as the 1956 Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration does not address the issue. The disputed islands are known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia. ==Kyodo Copyright 2014 Kyodo News International. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.