Russia's envoy to Japan said Wednesday that a reported plan by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to visit Russian-held islands claimed by Japan would not solve pending disputes but rather create new problems and is "unproductive" for bilateral relations.
Russian Ambassador to Japan Alexander Losyukov also expressed reservations over any progress on negotiations for a bilateral peace treaty, including the territorial dispute, as "there is currently no resolution that is acceptable to the public in both countries." (Kyodo News)
http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=9&id=309099
I believe that these islands should be return to japan immediately. However this could hurt japan's chances with that siberian oil. I think that it would be best for japan to wait until afterthe oil has been secured to begin things like this.