Accepting Putin's offer would go against long-standing Japanese position on the territorial dispute.

Japan's prime minister may finally have to give up hope of making progress on a long-standing territorial dispute.

This year's Diplomacy Bluebook shows Japan scrambling to square long-held positions with rapid changes in the region.

How long can Japan keep up its balancing act between Russia and the West?

Despite Shinzo Abe's optimism, analysts predict more of the same in Japan-Russia relations this year.

Why Japan and Russia won't reach an agreement on the Northern Territories dispute.

Despite Japan's "new approach" to relations, Russia's position on the disputed islands has hardened.

Japan's prime minister isn't nationalistic so much as realistic.

The Japanese PM’s approach to Russia is looking increasingly risky.

Don’t expect major breakthroughs anytime soon, but recent summits have moved the relationship forward.

A recent summit had little to offer on a thorny territorial dispute, but added North Korea to the agenda.

The two leaders take another step towards the conclusion of a peace treaty.

In this diplomatic sparring match, there was only one winner.

The recent Russia-Japan summit could be best described as embarrassment for Abe and a major coup for Putin.

A mutually beneficial 'balance of power' based on territorial and security arrangements remains beyond reach.

Siberian energy deals are set to warm Japan-Russia ties while the peace treaty is put on ice.