Russia and Japan agree on the need to improve ties, but major differences remain.

Japan has officially logged protest with Russia over the construction of military barracks on the disputed island chain.

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

By suggesting a peace treaty, Putin effectively urged Japan to give up its claims on the disputed Kuril Islands.

Japan wants Russia to scale down its military presence on the disputed island chain.

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

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

Russia believes the deployment of these systems will undermine its interests.

Furthermore, the Russian president does not rule out a U.S. troop presence on the disputed islands if controlled by Japan.

Russia’s defense minister intends to station a new Russian army division on the disputed Kuril Islands in 2017.

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.

Japan is hoping for a breakthrough on a long-standing territorial dispute. That's not likely to happen.