Japan has a modest goal for the new year—convince Russia to give up territory

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has a near impossible feat to accomplish in the new year—convince Vladimir Putin to surrender A Russian territory.

The land in question is a chain of small islands known as the Southern Kurils to Russia and the Northern Territories to Japan, and the dispute about them has dogged relations between the Pacific neighbors since the finish of World War II. In recent weeks, the two nations have flagged restored endeavors to convey the difference to an end.

The two heads met in Singapore in November and consented to push ahead with negotiations to return the islands of Shikotan and Habomai to Japan, in view of a 1956 joint statement marked by the then Soviet Union. Further advancement on that slowed down after Japan likewise requested the arrival of two different islands that make up most of the domain in debate.

The two chiefs met in Singapore in November and consented to push ahead with transactions to restore the islands of Shikotan and Habomai to Japan, in view of a 1956 joint presentation marked by the then Soviet Union. Further advancement on that stalled after Japan additionally requested the return of two other islands that make up the majority of the territory in dispute.