Abe, Putin reconfirm readiness to conclude postwar peace treaty

What happens when a country attacks another?

It gets its land taken as punishment.

There is no dispute-Russia won and Japan lost.

Abe is being a pragmatist. He understands that the post-WWII world order dominated by the USA is over. He has to make friends with Putin and Xi, the leaders of the new world order. He tried really hard to make friends with Trump, but look how that worked out. And anyway, it doesn't matter anymore.

Abe's wife Akie looks like she is in another world, or want to be in another world.

lol zichi!!

It is Sunday am though.

Japan needs less enemies, so anything to better relations with Russia is good.

@Michael

How does a treaty between Japan and the US affect relations between Japan and the Soviet Union?

Reconfirm forever.

The islands were overrun by Russia after Japan had signed a peace treaty with America. They are Japan's, it's Russia that has claimed them, not the other way around as per the article.

It's interesting that none of the Russians who regularly post on this site have any comments to make about this. I wonder why not?

"As for economic cooperation, it is always involved in all human relationships. This is no different."

I know human relationships cost money. So, I try to have less human relationships to save money. If you associate with poor people, you have to be careful.

Pukey2Today 10:24 am JST

ossan:

My point is that while Russia has indeed controlled the islands for the last 70 years

And Okinawa, AKA Ryukyu, was an independent country before Japan invaded it. And Hokkaido was grabbed from the Ainus. Does your point apply here too? Goose, gander? Pot, kettle? Shoe, foot?

Did you miss the part were I stated that those islands became Japanese by Treaty with Russia in 1855? A Treaty means it was negotiated, not taken by force or invaded. Your "examples" are irrelevant and not applicable.

The world leaders have come to "respect" him

He's Uncle Sam's poodle and a silver spoon dynastic politician. His economic policies are an abject failure. He's achieved nothing in diplomacy. He's mired in endless scandals. Pfft.

"Face to face" IS the "best" way to communicate, even with interpreters.

Trump, Kim, and Abe "know" the value of being "face-to-face".

Putin too is aware and is willing, but too many try to "avoid" him. He is a very sharp, intelligent and capable strategist.

But, Abe is willing...

The world leaders have come to "respect" him as the wold have come to "respect" the Japanese technology, the culture and possibly its people.

For that we must give him credit.

As to what he can accomplish, it will take some time.

Unlike Trump, he does not have the flexibility afforded the President of the USA.

Hope that he does get a peace treaty and settle some of the territorial problems that still exist. As for economic cooperation, it is always involved in all human relationships. This is no different.

America wants a base there, and as abe is best buddies with America he has to try. He gets to be a hero in japan as people forget his scandals. Putin will never give them up.

I rather doubt the status will change. What would motivate Putin to change?

ossan:

My point is that while Russia has indeed controlled the islands for the last 70 years

And Okinawa, AKA Ryukyu, was an independent country before Japan invaded it. And Hokkaido was grabbed from the Ainus. Does your point apply here too? Goose, gander? Pot, kettle? Shoe, foot?

Abe, come home and face the music instead of trying to get that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Isn’t the end of May a bit late to mark the opening ceremony of a cross-cultural year?

The Islands would be rich fishing grounds, gas and oil may well be there too---just awaiting exploitation.

I wonder how important the islands are to Japan. Economically they are no value. Militarily they may be important but not very much for unmilitaristic Japan. I think in the long future, borders will become meaningless.

Putin holds all the cards, Abe can only hope they are not regrettable. The latter has a huge choice to make in regards to the islands if he really wants to make progress: accept two in exchange for HUGE economic concessions, and anger his right-wing base, also forever cementing the other two as Russian (despite him no doubt about to say, "Two now, two later" or some equally silly rubbish), or stick to playing for the right-wing base and demanding all four, getting none, and still giving Russia some economic deals just for showing up.

"Abe, Putin reconfirm readiness to conclude postwar peace treaty". The action of this column tilte is the most important part of this meeting. Abe can't go further the Northern island Territories to pay money not from his pocket. Next stage will be how to resolve Japan's side issue, not for this Abe govt. of many domestic problems and Abe's failure to reject Putin wanted the resolution of 2 islands first, at that earlier meeting.

CrickyToday 08:08 am JST

Your point? Russia controls them and they are not going to give them back. Although a strong urge might help.....

My point is that while Russia has indeed controlled the islands for the last 70 years, your statement that "Japan has claimed them for 70 years" gives the false impression that the islands were never Japanese to start with. To put your sentence into proper unbiased perspective it was necessary to point out that Japan hasn't just been "claiming" these islands for the last 70 years, but in fact owned them since 1855 when Russia and Japan signed a Treaty.

Whether Japan gets all four islands back is unknown and in my opinion unlikely. However as Russo-Japanese relations progress forward there are possible outcomes such as dividing the four into two islands each, an idea which was previously considered by both nations or some sort of dual administration zone.

Abe really trying to change the subject. Can't blame NK anymore...

Your point? Russia controls them and they are not going to give them back. Although a strong urge might help.....

CrickyToday 07:37 am JST

Russia has controlled the islands for 70 years Japan has claimed them for 70 years

Russia has controlled the islands for 70 years. Japan controlled them for 90 years prior through a treaty with Russia.

Russia has controlled the islands for 70 years Japan has claimed them for 70 years Shinzo is desperate to achieve something after 5 years of urging with absolutely no results at all. Best he stay offshore. Drink the tea Shinzo drink the tea.

What politician doesn't have scandals? lol

Abby sure knows how to deal with scandals!

Good for them.

Visiting foreign countries is leasure for Abe. As a guest, they treat Abe nice diplomatically while at home his house is on fire.