Abe hopes to have specific discussion with Putin on peace treaty

Asked if Japan can address Putin's concern about the possibility of U.S. forces building a base on any of the islands if they are handed over to Japan, Abe said his government has "not yet" gained the consent of the United States to keep them free of a U.S. military presence.

The Prime Minister hasn't gained the consent of the U.S. to keep them free of its potential military’s presence there? Will the U.S. promise it won't use the islands for military purposes? It may, but it always retains a right to use any part of Japan for military purposes under Article 6 of the Japan U.S. Security Treaty and also under Article 3 of SOFA.

So, if Abe really wants to have Russians relieved from their concerns and the disputed islands returned, he must revise these treaties with the U.S. first and foremost.

Year after year,

talk after talk,

specifics after specifics,

nyet after nyet.

So Abe san has given up on Kunashir and Iturup Islands finally.

Japan could have had this settlement back in the 90s but resisted hoping for a more favorable term on weaker Russian economic position, but then Putin came to power in 2001 and things improved for Russia.

Well, this is better than nothing, right?

Think Abe would have a better chance asking Santa Claus, not Putin. If Abe really thinks Putin is going to hand over the islands he's already living in a fantasy world. However, at least this would be consistent with the outcomes from his economic and social policies.

Here we go again!