Abe, Putin agree to set up new framework for territorial talks

Positive.

Super promising! If PM Abe and Putin can finalize this 1956 Peace deal, after 62 years of failed attempts, they will be celebrated by their people as heroes. Getting back the Habomai islands and Shikotan (Possibly in 2-3 years) under this deal is a great start, and negotiations for the other 2 Islands will continue. Japan and Russia can jointly develop these remaining 2 islands for tourism, fisheries, agriculture and research, then revert to Japan after 10 years.

Some progress, good.

Burning BushToday  06:58 am JST

Looks like Japan will just get those 2 islands and perhaps visiting rights and free Russian lessons on the other 2.

They could've got this in 1956. Holding out has been a total waste for Japan.

Wrong, They got Okinawa back in 1972 from the United States by holding out.

Russia can keep the islands, and in return for peace, give them the Dokdo islands. Then we can have peace with South Korea.

You think its that simple? No consideration of history and current geopolitics?

It aint that simple.

It has to be done at one point in time.

But Japan is operating from a point of weakness atm. We will have to conceed territory to a dangerous non ally.

The body language in the picture speaks volumes.

The status of the islands?

They are Russian territory.

Most of the Japanese public really don’t care much to look out their windows in winter to see ice floating in the sea.....

Russia can keep the islands, and in return for peace, give them the Dokdo islands. Then we can have peace with South Korea.

The timing of this - when Trump is threatening Japan on trade and Putin is being criticised for his actions in Ukraine - tells me that this is more about sending a signal to Trump than anything else. Abe is not so subtly warning that he will move closer to Russia if Trump tries to force Japan too hard on trade issues. A silly and likely ineffective ploy, but that is almost certainly the background.

Abe definitely can’t be seen to be weak on the issue of the Islands right now or he will lose the support of his Nationalist supporters. Nothing is going to happen - all theatrics.