Abe wants to invite Putin to Japan next year

Inviting putin to Japan will not resolve the dispute of Russia still occupying the Northern Territories. Japan will not get anything from this except empty and worthless promises

Certainly, Abe can express his hope as he wishes but It would be a loft goal for him to make any really meaningful progress with Putin given the backdrop of increasingly escalating armed conflict at Ukraine as we are speaking.

For people who are not aware of current event in Ukrainian theater: this week Russia sent a column of heavy armored vehicles and tanks into rebel controlled region (Russia denies its involvement as usual) and shelling has been intensified. It looks like the frigile truce has already in jeopardy.

There is no easy way to put it, Abe’s hands are tied in terms to mending the ties with Russia unless he prepares to quit the US led efforts to put sanctions against Russia’s aggression. I doubt that Abe is willing to be the black sheep in the group.

BTW, Abe invited Obama for the state visit last April, but he failed to make a deal on TPP with Obama.

Jay Wilson Nov. 13, 2014 - 07:42AM JST Japan will not get anything from this except empty and worthless promises

If the meeting takes place between Putin and Abe, Japan will not focus on the island dispute. The Japanese goverment is focusing their efforts for a natural gas pipeline from Russia to cut energy costs. Japan will propose to build pipeline from Sakhalin Island to Japan and buy Russian gas at a price similar to the China deal. Japan has a long term energy problem and they know it.

BTW, Abe invited Obama for the state visit last April, but he failed to make a deal on TPP with Obama.

That was Obama's goal and not Abe. Obama came out looking like a fool in regards to the lack of progress on the TPP. Abe was successful in that he was able to clearly have the POTUS state "Senkaku" covering the security agreement. (First time in history, BTW)

"...And let me reiterate that our treaty commitment to Japan’s security is absolute, and Article 5 covers all territories under Japan’s administration, including the Senkaku Islands..."

nigelboy Nov. 13, 2014 - 08:29AM JST "...And let me reiterate that our treaty commitment to Japan’s security is absolute, and Article 5 covers all territories under Japan’s administration, including the Senkaku Islands..."

We cannot assume that China is any less determined to change the Asian order than America is to preserve it. Nor can we simply assume that China’s leaders would be too nervous about domestic stability in China to allow a conflict with the US to escalate.

Everyone knows that a deal with Russia is a deal with the devil. Why do these countries persist?

@niceboy "

That was Obama's goal and not Abe. Obama came out looking like a fool in regards to the lack of progress on the TPP. Abe was successful in that he was able to clearly have the POTUS state "Senkaku" covering the security agreement. (First time in history, BTW)

"...And let me reiterate that our treaty commitment to Japan’s security is absolute, and Article 5 covers all territories under Japan’s administration, including the Senkaku Islands..."

Get real, please! You seems still living in last year, the issue of disputed Senkaku Islands has already mooted at this point, just in case you don't know.

Get real, please! You seems still living in last year, the issue of disputed Senkaku Islands has already mooted at this point, just in case you don't know.

You're the one that brought the U.S-Japan summit. I thought I should just remind you the declining influence of U.S. thanks to the lame duck Prez.

“You're the one that brought the U.S-Japan summit. I thought I should just remind you the declining influence of U.S. thanks to the lame duck Prez.”

Please keep it in mind: Whether or not Obama is a lame duck president, he is still Command in Chief who decides where and when American soldiers are sent, and the US is still the leader of the free world.

BTW, the main topic here is about the relation between Japan and Russia, don't get carrried away for something else, okay ?

BTW, the main topic here is about the relation between Japan and Russia, don't get carrried away for something else, okay ?

It is about Japan and Russia. Bottom line is that Abe isn't too worried about what the lame duck Prez thinks. That's why there's an invitation. Simple enough?

@Nigelboy Abe wants to invite Putin to Japan next year

We are preparing for President Putin to visit Japan at the most appropriate timing

If Putin visit is after the election, it is the most appropriate timing. Abe needs Northern Territory and Gas pipe line. Putin wants Japan investment and business. Signing something before election is not credible.

Makes sense on one level but also shows once again how insensitive Japan is to world opinion.

Japan will not get anything from this except empty and worthless promises

They'll get a irritated China.

Ah, so they had a little kiss and make-up at the APEC summit did they?

nigelboy: "It is about Japan and Russia. Bottom line is that Abe isn't too worried about what the lame duck Prez thinks."

So, "it is about Japan and Russia", and yet you bring up the American president in your next sentence? Typical, although not surprising from a poster that defends tooth-and-nail a PM that says in back to back sentences, "We might have an election. There are no plans for an election".

In any case, this is yet more wishy-washy attempts at trying to play both sides again. Remember the last time Abe asked Putin to come? Ah, yes... just when the rest of the world was putting sanctions on Russia and Abe had to try and both water down sanctions and still get Putin to come over, the latter of whom scoffed and refused to come as a result. So then Japan imposed sanctions and "hoped Russia would understand. Please. Sorry". Now, last I checked the situation is only getting worse in Ukraine, and Russia is now flying bombers around the Pacific in a show of force while once again denying that it's sending troops to the Ukraine. Now here's Abe again inviting Putin, who is never going to offer all the islands back, if any, and while Abe, backed by wingers, will insist on nothing less than all four (if Putin even allows the issue to be discussed, and don't kid yourself into thinking anyone but him is in control of the issue). In any case, Abe will come off looking like the fool again, but wingers will defend him regardless, and he can distract from other domestic problems he's helped create.

sfjp330: If the meeting takes place between Putin and Abe, Japan will not focus on the island dispute. The Japanese goverment is focusing their efforts for a natural gas pipeline from Russia to cut energy costs. Japan will propose to build pipeline from Sakhalin Island to Japan and buy Russian gas at a price similar to the China deal. Japan has a long term energy problem and they know it.

And you don't think Japan will bring up the issue of the occupied islands?

Why does Mr Abe suddenly want to be friend with all those he opposed in the past? China now Russia. Not a very strong leader.

EW: Yes the shelling has intensified. By the Kiev government. When you read the Western reports it is never clearly said who is doing the shelling. It is always put in the passive voice, as if the shelling was doing itself. Do not trust reports about Russian military incursions. Since Crimea Western reportage has been mostly dishonest. There are a few exceptions of course.

Wishing to invite Putin is one the few intelligent things Abe has proposed or done. The territorial dispute be damned. Japan does not need to make enemies at this point. It is bad enough its that two of its most important trading partners are angry with Japan (largely thanks to Abe.)

Right now the U.S. has made too many enemies. Japan would be smart not to follow suit.

Maybe the Russians will wise up and get rid of Putin next year.

Right now the U.S. has made too many enemies. Japan would be smart not to follow suit.

You are threatening. Obama is getting closer to China, so why the threat?

So, "it is about Japan and Russia", and yet you bring up the American president in your next sentence? Typical, although not surprising from a poster that defends tooth-and-nail a PM that says in back to back sentences, "We might have an election. There are no plans for an election".

Oh dear smith. The mentioning of the lame duck Prez was started by EthanWilber. Do keep up.

In any case, this is yet more wishy-washy attempts at trying to play both sides again. Remember the last time Abe asked Putin to come? Ah, yes... just when the rest of the world was putting sanctions on Russia and Abe had to try and both water down sanctions and still get Putin to come over, the latter of whom scoffed and refused to come as a result. So then Japan imposed sanctions and "hoped Russia would understand. Please. Sorry".

Wishy washy? Nope. Abe basically defied Obama because of his lame duck status in U.S and there is nothing he can do about it. Merkel met with Putin in October. And subsequently Putin meets with Abe in APEC all under the nose of Obama. The 'wishy -washy' is more suited to the lame duck Prez with his foreign policy.

sfjp330 Japan will not focus on the island dispute. The Japanese goverment is focusing their efforts for a natural gas pipeline from Russia to cut energy costs.

It's a really good decision - to concentrate on something real

Pointless and stupid. A natural gas pipeline will only provide a short term fix when nuclear would have done the trick. And the next world crises will see Russia squeeze Japan on prices there. Meanwhile there is 0% chance of Putin returning what was stolen because it doesn't fit his tough guy talk.

I can't imagine that Putin is going to do anything other than send aircraft into Japanese airspace. And I don't expect a plane carrying Putin will be one of them.

Putin is not going to do anything with the northern islands and a gas deal with Russia is in invitation for extortion later. Best to forget about it.

Maybe Abe is trying to appear diplomatic?

Serrano Maybe the Russians will wise up and get rid of Putin next year.

The problem is not Putin . The problem is foreign policy of Russia.

Vladimir Putin is only man. What can do one man ? Almost nothing.

This is not about Mr Putin this is about Putins Problem - aka independent policy of Russian Federation

gelendestrasse I can't imagine that Putin is going to do anything other than send aircraft into Japanese airspace.

In international air space to be exact

Putin is not going to do anything with the northern islands and

It's Russian territory since WW II

Result of this war . So why Putin should change something about results of WW II ?

In year 1945 Japan lost a lot of territories (like Germany)

What special with these 4 islands ?

Putin in Japan would be an interesting visit. What does Russia have in common economically with Japan? Do you ever wonder why Putin nevet visits France, it's because the news would have a field day putting his name across the front of newspapers or nightly news.

Aww , how sweet