Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated that Japan should heed his country's security concerns to make progress in talks on a bilateral peace treaty.
Putin spoke to representatives of news agencies on the sidelines of an international meeting in St. Petersburg on Thursday.
He said Russia's concerns are mainly related to Japan's military cooperation with the United States. Tokyo plans to install the US Aegis Ashore missile defense system in the country.
Putin also referred to the Japan-US security treaty. He said he needs to see if Japan can make independent decisions under the treaty.
Putin plans to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on June 29 on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, western Japan.
NHK
