Japan wants to arrange a visit by Abe to Russia in September

Good slowly restore diplomatic relations with the Russian government without getting involved with their power struggle with regards to the US government

And if in time Russia again offers to give back a few of the disputed islands please take that offer this time.

"On Friday, Japan's foreign ministry called a visit by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to an island claimed by both Japan and Russia "extremely regrettable", urging Moscow to take constructive steps to advance ties."

They are Russian islands, so there's nothing you can do about it. And Abe having the same discussion 20 times a year with Putin won't change that until he drops the right-wing side of it and tries to HONESTLY negotiate for one or two of the islands back while admitting anything else is now and forever Russian. Since that won't happen, Abe will just walk away from any meeting once again empty handed, but vowing he'll solve the issue in the next talks with Russia... "hopefully in the coming weeks".

Why not meet on the disputed islands?

The islands are Russians now,there is nothing we can do.

With such mindset then The kingdom of netherlands could ask to get back the northern Belgian territories or maybe Spain claim Granada as well.

Pardon,I meant Gibraltar not Granada.

Just wish Abe and his like would stop going on and on about these northern islands.

Focus on things that really matter to people like the tax rate, higher wages etc

If anyone can do a deal with Putin, its PM Abe.

Most travel PM breaks another world record, clap, clap.

urging Moscow to take constructive steps to advance ties.

Given how unreliable and unstable the US is under Trump, given ongoing changes in Japan's relationships with Korea and China, given Japan's resource needs, given Russia's large reserves of resources Japan needs, given Russian proximity to Japan, given Russian military might, improving ties with Russia is important, regardless how trustworthy Russia might be.

Japanese leaders have put their nation in this position by remaining dependent on foreign nations for resources. They have done too little with regard to conservation and energy alternatives.