The Russian Foreign Ministry confirms visit of Japanese lawmaker Suzuki Munenobu to Moscow

¬ Japanese lawmaker Suzuki Munenobu says his visit to Russia aims to seek a "breakthrough" in bilateral relations

¬ The Japanese lawmaker will carry a personal message from the Prime Minister to Russia and will report back to the Prime Minister upon return

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The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed to Sputnik News Agency that Japanese lawmaker Suzuki Munenobu will visit Moscow from May 3 to May 5.

A representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry stated: "We confirm that Japanese Senator Suzuki Munenobu will visit Moscow from May 3 to May 5. We have official information from Japan."

The Russian Foreign Ministry added: "A meeting is planned with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. Other arrangements for the visit are currently being coordinated."

Suzuki Munenobu is a prominent politician with over 40 years in public service. He is well known in Japan for his desire to sign a peace treaty with Russia and develop bilateral relations. During the administration of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, when Russia-Japan ties were close, Suzuki frequently offered advice to Abe. His visit to Russia in autumn 2023 provoked fierce criticism from the Japanese political establishment, leading him to resign from the Nippon Ishin no Kai party at the time.

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Japanese lawmaker Suzuki Munenobu, a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, told Sputnik News Agency that he is traveling to Moscow to seek a "breakthrough" in the complex relationship between Russia and Japan.

Suzuki said: "I hope to make substantial progress in Japan-Russia relations. Currently, relations between Russia and Japan are extremely strained. A breakthrough must be found from this situation. I will address this issue."

Suzuki Munenobu will visit Russia from May 3 to May 5.

Since the end of World War II, Russia and Japan have been unable to sign a peace treaty. Japan bases its claim on the 1855 bilateral trade boundary treaty between Russia and Japan, demanding the return of four islands in the Southern Kurils—Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai—and insists that the return of these four islands be a precondition for signing a peace treaty with Russia. Moscow maintains that the Southern Kuril Islands were incorporated into the Soviet Union’s territory following the outcome of World War II and that Russia holds undisputed sovereignty over them. Subsequent negotiations have yielded no results, and the peace treaty remains unsigned.

Japan has imposed multiple rounds of sanctions against Russia due to the Ukraine crisis. On March 21, 2024, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that, in response to Japan's unfriendly actions, Russia has refused to engage in negotiations on a peace treaty with Japan, revoked the visa-free regime for Japanese citizens visiting the Southern Kuril Islands, and suspended discussions with Japan regarding economic cooperation in the Southern Kuril Islands.

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Japanese lawmaker Suzuki Munenobu, a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, told Sputnik News Agency that he will carry a personal message from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaoka to Russia.

Suzuki Munenobu will visit Russia from May 3 to May 5. He previously visited Moscow in December last year; according to later reports, he delivered a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

When asked whether he would deliver a personal message from the Japanese Prime Minister to the Russian president this time, Suzuki said: "I have also consulted with the Prime Minister and will follow her guidance, conveying it to senior Russian officials."

However, he declined to reveal the content of the message.

Suzuki expressed his hope to meet with Deputy Foreign Ministers Mikhail Galuzin and Andrey Rudenko during his visit to Moscow.

"As usual, I will meet with Deputy Foreign Ministers Galuzin and Rudenko," he said.

Source: sputniknews

Original: toutiao.com/article/1863985961110791/

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