JAPAN-RUSSIA: Far Apart on Islands Dispute But Leaders Agree to Talk More

By Suvendrini Kakuchi Reprint | | Print |

Suvendrini Kakuchi

TOKYO, Sep 5 2000 (IPS) - As Russian President Vladimir Putin waved goodbye to Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Tuesday, another chapter was added to the decades-old territorial dispute, which has kept the two neighbours from signing a peace treaty.

As many have expected, little was achieved during their talks, which centred on a row over a string of islands, but both leaders acknowledged the openness that could push future negotiations and cooperation forward.

“We agreed to keep discussing the matter,” Mori told reporters at a news conference.

Putin sounded defensive when asked why there was no progress made on the dispute over the islands — known as Kurils in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan. He said there have been positive results.

“Russia and Japan have made serious efforts to find a mutually acceptable compromise. It is true we have not succeeded in concluding a peace treaty, but I consider it very important and positive that our two countries accept that a problem exists. We will continue the dialogue,” he told reporters.

The two sides agreed at a summit three years ago to forge a peace treaty by the end of 2000. On Monday, they managed only to sign a statement where they agree to continue negotiations on the territorial dispute and find ways that would enable both countries to sign a peace treaty.

Fifty five years after the end of World War ll, Japan has yet to conclude a peace treaty with Russia because of the dispute over the islands.

In October 1956, Japan and the then Soviet Union signed a joint declaration ending wartime hostilities and restoring diplomatic ties.

Still smarting from criticism at home for his handling of the Kursk submarine disaster, Putin embarked on his Sep 3-5 trip to Japan with no real hopes that the dispute over the Kuril islands would be resolved.

Instead, Russian officials said, Putin hoped his visit could boost bilateral trade and pave the way for more Japanese investments in Russia.

The Kuril islands, situated off northern Hokkaido, have historically been hotly contested by the two countries. The Etorofu, Knashiri, Shikotan and Habomai islets, as they are called in Japan, were claimed by Japan till Soviet troops seized the islands at the end of World War ll.

Tokyo reiterated its earlier ‘Kawana Proposal’ that calls for an official recognition that the islands belong to Japan but which puts no time frame for the return of the territory. Expectedly, Putin stuck to his guns and rejected the idea.

Instead, Putin stuck to the position of his predecessor, Boris Yeltsin, who had suggested during a visit to Tokyo that the disputed islands be treated as a separate issue in bilateral negotiations.

International Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma voiced disappointment at the lack of a breakthrough. “I feel disappointed at the ourcome of the latest round of talks,” he said at a news conference, pointing out that this has put a damper on Japanese investment in Russian energy development projects.

Despite the overall sense of loss, analysts point to a glimmer of light — Putin’s confirmation of the 1956 agreement — which recognized the return of two islands.

In addition, Putin invited Mori to visit Russia sometime this year. He also expressed Russia’s support for Japan’s push for a permanent seat in the Un Security Council.

Mori and Putin also signed a document pledging to work together in the international arena where they have similar views on issues such as North Korea, nuclear non-proliferation, terrorism and the role of the United Nations.

The Asahi Shinbun, a major daily, points out that despite their differences, there was a firm commitment between the two leaders to seek progress, a bright sign in the otherwise impossible deadlock.

“Talks hit impasse, but hopes are kept alive,” read the headline at the Asahi, summing up what transpired at the summit.

During the past decade, Japan’s foreign policy has been moving towards building closer ties with Asia, not only economically but also expanding into political and security ties. Tokyo is also striving to improve relations with Russia.

Professor Satoshi Morimoto, who teaches international relations at Takushoku University, says it makes good sense for Japan to improve its relations with its northern neighbour.

Russia is very important for the security of Japan, he explains. Despite the island row, Morimoto urges the government to developing closer economic ties with Russia.

“International cooperation is essential to ensure the safety as well as the prevention of environmental pollution in the seas of Japan,” said.

Others say Tokyo should use a new approach in dealing with the dispute, adding that pushing the issue too strongly could backfire.

“The island strategy is tool old,” says television commentator Yonusuke Miwa. “Like the north Korean nuclear weapon strategy, the Russians could hold the island card to make Japan promise other things that it really should not.”

He explained that the islands are too deep an issue for both countries to be used as card in negotiating bilateral relations.

Fearing a nationalist backlash, Putin cannot budge from the Russian stance. Japan, on the other hand, wants the islands back as a matter of national pride.