Japan-Russia talks based on 1956 deal involve 4 islets' status: Abe

Japan's peace treaty negotiations with Russia based on a 1956 joint declaration involve the issue of "the attribution of four islands" under dispute between the two countries, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Friday.Abe made the remark two days after he agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin at their meeting in Singapore that the declaration -- which stated the return of Shikotan and the Habomai islet group upon the conclusion of a postwar peace treaty -- will be the basis for forthcoming negotiations.Speaking at a news conference in the northern Australian port city of Darwin, Abe said…READ FULL ARTICLE