US influence over Japanese-Russian territorial dispute

The problem of ownership of the Southern Kuril Islands (Jap. Northern Territories) is a major barrier to the conclusion of a peace treaty between Japan and Russia, with the aim of fully normalizing relations between the two countries. The United States as a third party played a key role in its formation. The San Francisco Peace Treaty, initiated by America after World War II, actually became a wedge driven between countries with the aim of dominating the territory of Northeast Asia in the future. The United States declared its focus on solving many territorial issues, using this thesis as a justification for interfering in the treaty process on disputed territories of this region. US activities have been a key factor in the uncertain status of the Southern Kuril Islands. The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, as well as the signing of the "Treaty on Mutual Cooperation and Security Assurances" by the US and Japan, led to constant tensions between the Land of the Rising Sun and the Soviet Union, which prevented the building of constructive bilateral relations, including in the short term.