Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirmed  that Tokyo seeks to achieve progress in talks with Russia on signing a peace treaty, RIA Novosti reported.

Speaking at a press conference in Manila on Tuesday, Shinzo Abe told reporters that they will move step by step towards this great goal on the basis of a trusting relationship with President Putin in order to  resolve the issue of the four islands (Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai (collectively referred to as the South Kuril Islands)) and conclude a peace treaty.