Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso proposed on Wednesday to divide the disputed northern territories off Hokkaido by acreage, with Japan and Russia each taking half, in order to end the long-standing dispute, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Thursday.

On a session of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, Aso said a line should be drawn to separate the four islands of Kunashiri, Etorofu and Shikotan, and the Habomai islets into two parts.

The foreign minister also called for the setting of a course to resolve the territorial issue before Russian President Vladimir Putin's term ends in May 2008.

Japanese foreign ministry spokesman said the minister's personal views do not imply a change of the government's position on the matter.

The territorial dispute between Japan and Russia over the Russia-controlled islands, which are known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia, has prevented the two countries from reaching a peace treaty after World War II.

Source: Xinhua