"It is regrettable that the problem over the Northern Territories has remained unresolved and a peace treaty yet to be signed after 50 years of diplomatic ties," Abe said. "We will pursue our effort to resolve this legacy of the war."

The countries are disputing a group of islands, called the southern Kurils by Russia and the Northern Territories by Japan, seized by the Soviets near the end of World War II.

Oct. 19 marked the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration, which restored the diplomatic ties between Japan and the Soviet Union.

The Japan Times Weekly: Oct. 28, 2006
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