The East Asia situation is changing significantly, with China emerging as an economic and military power and North Korea becoming even more enigmatic with its transition in power.
Despite their separation by sea, at this juncture it would be in the national interest of both Japan and Russia to deepen cooperation.
Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and visiting Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov agreed in talks Saturday (Jan. 28) to increase bilateral relations in the security, energy, economy and maritime fields.
In Russia, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is almost certain to regain the presidency in that country’s election in March.
It was fitting that Gemba and Lavrov exchanged views for about 4-1/2 hours on a number of issues that Russia’s incoming government will have to deal with.
With regard to the dispute over the Russian-held islands off Hokkaido, the biggest unresolved bilateral issue, the two countries reportedly agreed not to shelve it, but to promote discussions based on past accords by the two countries and the principle of “law and justice.”
Yet Lavrov recently said the islands legally became part of Russian territory as a result of World War II. This stance is problematic as it unilaterally denies historical facts.
With the approach of its presidential election, Russia will not relax its hard-line diplomatic stance. The Japanese government needs to ascertain the incoming Russian government’s diplomatic policy and draw up an appropriate diplomatic strategy. The government must resolutely tackle the task in an effort to reach a breakthrough in the long-standing territorial dispute.
At a press conference following the talks, Lavrov referred to “joint economic activities” in the islands, saying he would welcome cooperation in fisheries, marine product processing and agriculture.
Yet his ideas are based on the premise that these activities would be carried out under Russian law. This would impair Japan’s standpoint that the four islands are Japan’s inherent territory. It is reasonable for Japan not to engage in any joint activity that is treated separately from the territorial issue.
Regarding North Korea, the two countries agreed to cooperate closely to bring about a resumption of the six-nation talks on Pyongyang’s nuclear development. Lavrov also said Russia has taken up the issue of North Korea’s abduction of Japanese nationals during talks with that country, and would support “an ultimate solution” on the issue.
It might be wise for the Japanese government to seek a helping hand from Russia to try to resolve the abduction issue under North Korea’s new leader, Kim Jong-un.
Russia formally participated, for the first time, in the East Asia Summit last year, and will host a summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in September.
It is important for Japan to build a relationship of trust with Russia, which is becoming more involved in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan should conduct proactive diplomacy that is not limited to its actions on the territorial issue.
