(VOVworld) – Kyodo News Agency on Tuesday reported that Japan and Russia will hold talks in Tokyo in March to discuss how to conduct joint economic activities on the Russian-held islands known as the South Kurils or the Northern Territories in Japan.

Russian-held islands known as the South Kurils or the Northern Territories in Japan. (Source: VNA)

The same day, an interdepartmental council on joint economic activities with Russia on the disputed islands was formed in Japan. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said the joint economic activities will help Russia and Japan move forward to signing a peace treaty to officially end World War II.