Japanese PM Abe hopes to visit Russia early next year

"We have no other way than directing the territorial issue to a solution while shaping a vision of a win-win future," Abe said in a speech at a conference hosted by the Research Institute of Japan, a Jiji Press affiliate.

During their latest summit last week, Abe and Putin discussed the issue of four northwestern Pacific islands, called the Northern Territories in Japan, that have blocked the two countries from concluding a post-World War II peace treaty.

The prime minister said he hopes to accelerate the momentum toward better bilateral relations by meeting with Putin again at an early date.

"An acceptable solution would be a conclusion that both the (Japanese and Russian) people can assent to," Abe said, regarding the territorial dispute.

Abe, however, said that diplomatic negotiations do not necessarily produce results that everyone would support. "We must be prepared for criticism from the public," he added.

The prime minister explained that proposed joint economic activities on the four Russian-held islands that Abe and Putin agreed on during their latest talks represent an "approach that directly faces reality."

Meanwhile, Abe said he has no plan at all to dissolve the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the Diet, or Japan's parliament, for a snap election.

Abe also highlighted the significance of his planned visit to Pearl Harbor next week, saying that a visit there by the Japanese and US leaders together will show the power of reconciliation.

Furthermore, Abe expressed his determination to implement a policy of equal pay for equal work, one of the pillars of his work style reform initiative.