(VOVworld) - Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga makes a speech at the Kyodo News head office in Tokyo on Friday that there has been no change to the government's position seeking the return from Russia of four islands off Hokkaido, but was ambiguous about whether a staggered return of the islands is being contemplated to complete a peace treaty.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga (Photo: Kyodo)

The issue of the Islands Kunashir, Shikotan, Habomai and Iturup actively rising in Japan in recent months in connection with the planned 15-16 December visit of the Russian President.