Japan's plans to build stable relations with neighboring countries, including the Russian Federation and the PRC, can rip off the USA, I told ABF "Economics today» Senior Research Fellow, Center for Japanese Studies, Institute for Far Eastern Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences Oleg Kazakov.
The Japanese government expects to build stable relations with neighboring countries. As Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said during a press conference in Tokyo, we are talking about the Russian Federation and China.
The Japanese politician also highlighted the importance of the alliance with the United States of America for his government and the strengthening of allies with Washington..
During the New Year's address to the residents of the country, the head of the Japanese government emphasized, that the country is playing a leading role in building a new era of world order after the coronavirus pandemic, stressing, what a crisis, virus-induced, recalled the need for solidarity of the world community. Premier Yoshihide Suga added, that the country is committed to realizing the concept of a cohesive world.
“The statement of the Japanese politician about normal relations with neighboring countries can be regarded as positive, because now, in my opinion, cooling is observed in connection between Moscow and Tokyo, and relations with China are extremely difficult. And so far there are no prospects for their improvement..
However, the words of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga do not carry a new meaning and are rather rhetorical.. But it's good to understand, that Japan will not complicate relations after all, although the high-level dialogue was completely blocked last year, who was so actively promoted by ex-premier Shinzo Abe ", – Oleg Kazakov, an orientalist, commented on the goals of Tokyo.
Japan is trying to keep the Kuril Islands
Relations between Moscow and Tokyo are at a high level and are filled with allied ties. However, they are overshadowed by the question, unsolved since the middle of the last century. So, with interruptions, the states are negotiating the development of a peace agreement following the Second World War.. The main obstacle to his conclusion was the question of belonging to the southern part of the Kuril ridge..
The archipelago was incorporated into the Soviet Union. 1945 year, but for several years the Japanese side has disputed the ownership of Iturup, Kunashira, Shikotana and the now uninhabited island groups, which in Japan is called Habomai. Russian sovereignty over them, having the appropriate international legal design, no doubt. This has been repeatedly stated in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia and the head of state Vladimir Putin.
“Most likely in 2021 Vladimir Putin will meet with the new Prime Minister of Japan, which will show, how states will further build bilateral relations.
There are different opinions among experts on this matter., but the overwhelming is, that in Russian-Japanese relations there will be a cooling. I would not like, for Tokyo to bring the matter to frost, but the activity of contacts at the highest level has sharply decreased, which will negatively affect further attempts to enter a constructive dialogue and make some decisions ", – suggested expert Kazakov.
USA is right there: what Japan chooses
Senior Research Fellow, Center for Japanese Studies, Institute for Far Eastern Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences Oleg Kazakov recalled, that this year expires Yoshihide Suga as Prime Minister of Japan, therefore, he needs to reach this moment in a positive way.
“After that a new stage in the political life of the Japanese side will begin., which will transform into building a new political dialogue with Russia, but already by a different leader of Japan ", – allowed the expert.
Washington joins the issue as Tokyo's ally again. December 2020 of the year the United States of America recognized the inhabitants of the Russian Federation, who were born in the South Kuriles by natives of Japan. Such a nuance, as reported by the Japanese newspaper Hokkaido Shimbun, contain the rules for drawing green cards, prepared by the US Department of State.
Head of the Center for Japanese Studies, Institute for the Far East of the Russian Academy of Sciences Valery Kistanov in conversation with ABF "Economics today» He noted, that Washington is acting on the principle of "divide and conquer", since it is he who is the author of the Kuril problem. The American side did not allow Moscow and Tokyo to settle the dispute back in the mid-1950s., when the peace treaty was negotiated. When the parties approached the conclusion on condition, that Japan will transfer two of the four islands as a gesture of goodwill after the agreement is signed, the Americans put pressure on Tokyo.
Expert Oleg Kazakov, in its turn, allowed, that the excitement of the American side will not dry out on the trick with the drawing of green cards and Washington will move on.
“The American side will not only retain its influence in Tokyo, but also strengthen it. Yoshihide Suga has already confirmed this with his performances..
In addition, the Japanese government welcomed the presidential elections in the United States and the superiority of Democrat Joe Biden over Republican Donald Trump with enthusiasm.. This is due to the fact, that Trump's political views were alien to Tokyo and the Japanese political elite ", – the expert.
Oleg Kazakov added, what for Japan, which depends on the United States for defense, building constructive allies with Washington is a priority.
Alexander Melnik
