Japan and Russia
IT IS important for Japan to carry out every element of economic cooperation with Russia in tandem with progress in negotiations over the northern territories.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko has visited the country for talks with its officials, including Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev. Both sides agreed to consider specific measures for launching about 30 projects by the time Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Japan in December, based on an eightpoint economic cooperation plan presented by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Technical cooperation will be promoted in urban development involving energy-saving technology in southwestern Russia, and in efforts to work towards decommissioning reactors at the Fukushima Number 1 nuclear power plant.
Seko said at a press conference, “It is hoped [steps] will be taken to facilitate a good environment in which the two leaders can discuss matters aimed at peace treaty negotiations.”
Abe’s aim to use economic cooperation as a pump-priming measure to pave the way for resolving the territorial issue can be understood.
There are high expectations regarding Japan in Russia, as a result of an economic slump due to such factors as a drop in crude oil prices and economic sanctions imposed by the US and European and other nations. Last month, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East unilaterally announced an economic cooperation plan totalling as much as $16 billion, including an airport modernisation project.
There is also room for Japanese corporations to expand their investment in and trade with Russia. Projects for cooperation in such fields as waste disposal and medical services are said to be promising.
Given the still-unsettled Ukraine and Syrian situations, it is indispensable for Japan to keep step with the US and EU in dealing with the sanctions taken against Russia.
It must be noted that, historically, Japan has failed to extract concessions from Russia by using economic cooperation as a leverage regarding the territorial issue.
In 1989, Japan adopted a policy of increasing bilateral cooperation both in politics and economics, reversing its principle of keeping political and economic matters inseparable.
Undoubtedly, a certain measure of progress was later made in the Japan-Russia relationship due to various forms of economic coopera- tion carried out by successive Japanese cabinets. However, the return of the northern territories has not been realised because of the two nations’ respective domestic conditions and for other reasons. There are also doubts about whether Russia is a trustworthy partner.
In 2006, control over oil and natural gas development projects conducted by Japanese trading companies and others in waters off Sakhalin was wrenched away by a Russian state-owned enterprise.
It is worrying to note that Putin said last month: “It’s impossible to set a time limit for concluding negotiations over a treaty. That would be harmful.” Although his remark can be viewed as a tactical move eyeing substantive talks, it signifies a negative stance on progress in the territorial issue.