The Dance of the Bear and Crane: Japan Wants to Sign a Peace Treaty With Russia After 70 Years

[Aepsilons]

The two nations never got around to it at the end of World War II

Shinzo Abe, the Japanese Prime Minister, has said that Tokyo would like to sign a peace treaty with Moscow.

The two powers ceased hostilities at the end of World War II but did not formally conclude a peace pact because of territorial disputes over the Kuril Islands, which Japan refers to as its Northern Territories, the BBC reports.

Addressing reporters in Tokyo, Abe said that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed that the lack of a formal treaty was “abnormal” and called for a summit.

“Without a summit meeting, this Northern Territories problem cannot be resolved,” he said, according to the BBC.

Japan Wants to Sign a Peace Treaty With Russia

 

[biendong]

This is good move of smart people.

 

[Khafee]

@Nihonjin1051 So what happens to the "northern territories" ?

 

[Aepsilons]

Russia and Japan are not natural enemies, if you think about it, in fact even before the age of Imperialism, Russia and Japan were coexisting powers and collaborates on various cultural exchanges well before the 15th century. Russia complements Japan's security legation issues, Russia's vast natural resources is a perfect partner for Japan's energy driven needs. The Russian Far East is also potent for development and Japan has the capital to help develop that, in the spirit of intercommensurability and omnidirectionality.

Nippon Banzai!!!!!!

@Nihonjin1051 So what happens to the "northern territories" ?

The northern territories should be relinquished , in the name of national and interregional collaboration. The same also with the Liancourt rocks issue that Japan and South Korea is bringing to close. Now that Abe has majority support of the Diet, Japan can now make th enecessary moves to secure relations. Better yet, to move relations forward.

 

[Jai Bharat]

Given the current economic situation in Russia, I wonder if Japan can negotiate for purchase of the Northern Territories as part of the peace deal.

 

[Aepsilons]

Given the current economic situation in Russia, I wonder if Japan can negotiate for purchase of the Northern Territories as part of the peace deal.

The islands have no economic incentives for Japan to have, only for national pride that is espoused by more right wing members of the nation's legislative body. I say the Government relinquish claim of the Kurils since they were a possession acquired by imperial means during the Russo-Japanese War. The northern territories are gone, we should just accept its loss to the Russians over 70 years ago.

Besides, there are more concessions the Russians are prepared to concede for this. An example is, from what i have heard from Japanese sources, are a gracious fisheries treaty pact, that will enable Japan to have access to Russian fishing waters, removal of import restrictions of fishing goods from each other. What Japan is also prepared to help Russia, as Russia approached Japan this recently, is the cooperation on developing Sakhalin Island as well as the Far East Mainland, as i have revealed in the post above.

Reliquishing claim of the northern territories would be a minor token of good will by Japan to Russia; and I believe the Russians can offer similar token of good will to us. But that should be revealed in further negotiations.

 

[Abacin]

The islands have no economic incentives for Japan to have, only for national pride that is espoused by more right wing members of the nation's legislative body. I say the Government relinquish claim of the Kurils since they were a possession acquired by imperial means during the Russo-Japanese War. The northern territories are gone, we should just accept its loss to the Russians over 70 years ago.

Besides, there are more concessions the Russians are prepared to concede for this. An example is, from what i have heard from Japanese sources, are a gracious fisheries treaty pact, that will enable Japan to have access to Russian fishing waters, removal of import restrictions of fishing goods from each other. What Japan is also prepared to help Russia, as Russia approached Japan this recently, is the cooperation on developing Sakhalin Island as well as the Far East Mainland, as i have revealed in the post above.

Reliquishing claim of the northern territories would be a minor token of good will by Japan to Russia; and I believe the Russians can offer similar token of good will to us. But that should be revealed in further negotiations.

Are you joking that Russia will give up the northern territories? Japan had missed the Chance when Soviet collapsed. At that time, Russian leaders had no idea of geopolitics, but focused on begging the West to save their economy.

With geopolitics in mind, Russia will never give up the northern territories peacefully. The northern Territories is Russian only controlled Gateway to Pacific if you watch the map carefully. That's why Soviet wanted to occupy it determinedly. They even thought about Hokkaido, but that would be too controversial.

 

[Aepsilons]

Are you joking that Russia will give up the northern territories? Japan had missed the Chance when Soviet collapsed. At that time, Russian leaders had no idea of geopolitics, but focused on begging the West to save their economy.

With geopolitics in mind, Russia will never give up the northern territories peacefully. The northern Territories is Russian only controlled Gateway to Pacific if you watch the map carefully. That's why Soviet wanted to occupy it determinedly. They even thought about Hokkaido, but that would be too controversial.

Please re-read my post. Thanks.

 

[Abacin]

Russia would fight for Crimea. They would fight for the Northern Territories too. Both are strategically important to Russia. One for Black Sea and one for Pacific.

 

[Aepsilons]

Russia would fight for Crimea. They would fight for the Northern Territories too. Both are strategically important to Russia. One for Black Sea and one for Pacific.

Who said there would be a conflict, i think you did not comprehend my post, in fact it seems like you didn't understand what i wrote. Totally.

Avast.

 

[Abacin]

For Japan, the northern territories are also critical. The northern Territories are the gateway for Japan to the empty far east. If Japan gives up the northern territories officially, this means that Japan completely cut the historical connections. For Japan thirsty for resources and lands, Russian Far East is the only potential choice. Japan's southward policy is only good for economy, but not good for living space with crowded population.

Who said there would be a conflict, i think you did not comprehend my post, in fact it seems like you didn't understand what i wrote. Totally.

Avast.

The problem of the Northern Territories is about the living spacing for Japan and geopolitics for Russia. do not believe that either Japan or Russia will give up.

 

[Aepsilons]

There is a new paradigm here for Japan and Russia to join hands together; let us build Sakhalin TOGETHER.

The problem of the Northern Territories is about the living spacing for Japan and geopolitics for Russia. do not believe that either Japan or Russia will give up.

Living space ? Japan's population is decreasing, there is no need for 'living space', and besides, we don't need to conquer lands anymore to extract natural resources.

Japan secures natural resources through our trade with the world. Economics solves everything, my friend.

Gone are the days of unnecessary , unchecked imperialistic notions. Russia is clearly a natural partner of Japan's.

I mean even the native people of Sakhalin are kin to my ethnic group, the Ainu Japanese.

Sakhalin Ainu

 

[Abacin]

If Japan

There is a new paradigm here for Japan and Russia to join hands together; let us build Sakhalin TOGETHER.

These are opportunities for Japan and Russia to collaborate. But there are not much space in the northern territories. Also Russia is very wary of these kind of collaboration since it only occupied the far east less than 200 years. Even though that Russia and China have good relations and are strategically supporting each other, the collaborations between China and Russia are not so smooth since Russia always worry about China taking back those territories through economical activities. Similarly for Japan. The imbalance of population complicates economical acitivities.

 

[Aepsilons]

These are opportunities for Japan and Russia to collaborate. But there are not much space in the northern territories. Also Russia is very wary of these kind of collaboration since it only occupied the far east less than 200 years. Even though that Russia and China have good relations and are strategically supporting each other, the collaborations between China and Russia are not so smooth since Russia always worry about China taking back those territories through economical activities. Similarly for Japan. The imbalance of population complicates economical acitivities.

Its better to collaborate with Russia and recognize their control of these northern territories since the location of the northern territories and Russia's immediate proxmity to Japan basically reinforces Russia's complement to Japan. There are new themes to consider for Japanese Leadership in the potential here:

• Russo-Japanese nuclear collaboration
• Russo-Japanese energy trade
• Russo-Japanese civilian rapport
• Russo-Japanese local government unit exchange programs
• Russo-Japanese academic reciprocity mechanisms
• Russo-Japanese military to military exchange programs
• Russo-Japanese military alliance formation
• Russo-Japanese economic integration

 

[atomix]

The islands have no economic incentives for Japan to have, only for national pride that is espoused by more right wing members of the nation's legislative body. I say the Government relinquish claim of the Kurils since they were a possession acquired by imperial means during the Russo-Japanese War. The northern territories are gone, we should just accept its loss to the Russians over 70 years ago.

Besides, there are more concessions the Russians are prepared to concede for this. An example is, from what i have heard from Japanese sources, are a gracious fisheries treaty pact, that will enable Japan to have access to Russian fishing waters, removal of import restrictions of fishing goods from each other. What Japan is also prepared to help Russia, as Russia approached Japan this recently, is the cooperation on developing Sakhalin Island as well as the Far East Mainland, as i have revealed in the post above.

Reliquishing claim of the northern territories would be a minor token of good will by Japan to Russia; and I believe the Russians can offer similar token of good will to us. But that should be revealed in further negotiations.

Well it makes a lot of sense for Russia & Japan to have cordial relationship. It will not only serve as a counter balance to china but also not support any chinese adventures in the region.

Japan can use Russia's resources and invest back in them as well.
Consider this ,

Japan is primarily dependent on the Middle East for its crude oil imports, as 83% of Japanese crude oil imports originated from the Middle East in 2012, up from 70% in the mid-1980s. Saudi Arabia is the largest supplier of oil to Japan, making up 33% of the import portfolio, or over 1.2 million bbl/d of crude oil. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Iran are other notable sources of oil to Japan.

If Japan could buy oil/gas from Russia it will save a lot on transport and build a good relationship. Infact India can buy Japans contracted oil in middleast and Russia could sell Indian contracts to Japan. It will be a win-win for both the countries. Indian being friendly with both countries can stand as good guarantor to ensure stability for fuel supply.

India already has stake in Russian oil/gas fields.
http://www.thehindu.com/business/In...-acquisition-of-50-stake-in-russian-oil-block
http://www.theoilandgasyear.com/news/russia-india-tighten-energy-ties//article6177461.ece