Talking points

Japan is scheduled to begin more than two weeks of war games from today aimed at showcasing its ability to protect remote islands. Destroyers, fighter jets and 34,000 troops are set to take part in the drill, which will involve amphibious landings on the uninhabited atoll of Okidaitojima, until November 18. Although Okidaitojima is a considerable distance from the disputed Diaoyu Islands, which Japan controls and calls the Senkakus, the exercises are expected to add to Beijing-Tokyo tensions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visit Japan today for talks expected to include discussions on ending a long-standing territorial dispute between the two countries. The officials are set to discuss the group of four islands Russia calls the Southern Kurils and which Japan refers to as the Northern Territories. The two states never signed a permanent peace treaty following the end of the second world war because of the disagreements over jurisdiction of the territories.