Japanese and Russian foreign ministers discussed bilateral relations and regional issues during a telephone call on Thursday.

Hayashi Yoshimasa said he attaches "great importance" to Japan-Russia relations and intended to exchange views with Sergey Lavrov for "developing overall bilateral relations in a mutually beneficial manner in a broad range of fields, such as politics, economy, and culture, including the issue of concluding a peace treaty," Japan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Negotiations on a peace treaty, joint economic activities on the Four Northern Islands, economy, people-to-people exchanges, and security were among topics the two ministers discussed.

Hayashi and Lavrov also exchanged views regarding regional situations, including Ukraine and Belarus, as well as North Korea's nuclear and missile activities.

Lavrov congratulated Hayashi on his appointment to the office.