JURIST - Paper Chase: Japan joining Moscow WWII ceremonies despite no peace treaty

[JURIST] Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi [official website] headed to Moscow Sunday to attend ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, despite the absence of a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities between Japan and the Soviet Union. Japan and Russia remain at odds over what to do with four islands seized by the Soviet Union shortly after it declared war on Japan. Russia has offered to return two of the islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories [Japan MOFA backgrounder] and in Russia as the Southern Kuriles, but Japan has rejected the proposal. Japan has refused to sign a peace treaty or provide substantial aid to Russia until the islands are returned. Reuters has more. The Moscow Times has local coverage of the anniversary celebrations in Moscow.

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