The Japanese government has announced a new "course of measures" vis-a-vis Russia in an effort to speed up the process of regaining the possession of four southernmost Kuril islands, which were claimed by the Soviet Union after World War Two.

Reports said the Japanese government will now be pushing for the return of all the four islands simultaneously. Once an agreement on their return is in place, Japan will at long last be able to sign a WWII peace treaty with Russia. CRIENGLISH.com reported Monday.

After the latest elections to the upper house of Parliament, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi instructed the Foreign Ministry to make the return of the disputed territories one of its top priorities. Japanese officials said if all goes well, a peace treaty with Russia may be signed as early as the first half of next year.

In the past few years, economic issues have come to the foreground of Russo-Japanese relations, pushing the territorial dispute to the background.

Source: CRIENGLISH.com