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Russian Pres Boris Yeltsin's Apr 1998 visit to Japan was seen as a step to improving Russo-Japanese relations, which have been affected by their dispute over the Northern Territories. To pursue better relations with its Asian neighbor, Japan must consider the impact of Soviet-US relations and Sino-Soviet relations on Japan-Soviet relations. Aside from pursuing broad-based Russo-Japanese negotiations that will package the territorial issue with other issues to blunt its impact, Japan must also view these negotiations as a way to plan for its future and create new relationships.

The visit of Russian Pres Boris Yeltsin to Japan improved the relations between the two nations. The treatment of Japanese soldiers in Siberia after World War II and the Northern Territory issue were discussed. A report after the Tokyo Summit, about Russia-Japan relations, stated that past issues will not be included in the negotiations.