Russia trip keeps Abe in spotlight, but key issues remain unresolved

Fail, again. But he did get to fly around and stay at nice hotels. Oh and raise your taxes, you gotta love that.

Interesting photo with the posture copying. Not sure who copied whom or whether it's just difficult to sit any other way in those high-arm chairs.

No much failing,because it's the wishes of the government to keep things like this. The status quo has always been like this and Japan is happy to be like this. Is not like any leader in the world is crazy enough to announce to the world what kind of dealings are being made secretly anyway. Media would love to swallow Abe alive and find his weaknesses these days.

Japan isn't really in a hurry to make any deals with North Korea or Russia. Because no matter what Japan do,the west would complain and criticized Japan. Especially these days the relationship with China. America is not on very good term with China,so we rather stay out of these conflicts. We dislike getting involve with all these conficts. We have bigger problems in our own country at the moment. Rains,power outrage and rebuilding all the damages cause this summer. Our relationship with our neighbors has always been like this for a century and there isn't really much that is gonna change anyway. Just let us have our peaceful life. In my opinion i support Abe into increasing our defenses budget and strengthen the JSDF. As long we stay strong,conflicts aren't gonna happen anytime soon.

he failed to achieve any major breakthrough on key diplomatic matters

Well, that's par for the course. Abe has failed in so many key areas, it's hard to find anything he achieved.

Bertie just wait for the gum boots and work wear photo, he is one of us, all his achievements are....well mmmm taxes are up international companies get a tax free card. Women are as always discluded, plummeting workforce. Even the idea of importing slave labour thankfully has not taken off because the test is draconian. But he still believes that all Japan needs to do is revert to the 1930s and all will be well. I would sincerely like to hand the man pilot goggles and point him towards the sunset.

No much failing,because it's the wishes of the government to keep things like this.

You may be right Hiro, the appearance of making an effort (abduction issue, reforming the economy, 'creating a society where women can shine') is so much more important to the government than actually succeeding. The Kurile islands may be another good example of this - a few talks are held so Abe's cheerleaders at NHK and in the newspapers can run a few positive stories about how the government are　よく頑張っている.

So they get together to wrestle over issues, and while at it, watch a Russian and Japanese judoka go at it?

Looking around the world, we have a good leader at the time of confusions. Abe's strong personality is a rare thing we can find among Japanese politicians. Compare Japan today and before Abe. We are a lot better.

Jonathan,

Interesting photo with the posture copying. Not sure who copied whom or whether it's just difficult to sit any other way in those high-arm chairs.

You can be sure those poses are a) decided by a committee who've spent hours in long meetings and b) meticulously rehearsed.

Abe's strong personality is a rare thing we can find among Japanese politicians.

Funny. A glass of water has more personality than Abe.

A face to face dialog is always a good thing for world leaders regardless of results.

The important thing is that any topic of issue of concern not so much by the public or media, but for both country's interests be discussed, giving meaningful "perspective" to such topics and issues.

It is probably normal for those watching to "expect" some kind of concrete "results" that the public or the media may desire, but the actual discussion may not have been centered upon and of concern by the two. What is communicated is not just by words translated by the interpreters as much as what was "sensed" by each other during the discussion.

All world leaders have their personal and public stances as well as various agendas for different purposes and reasons as well as the time frame and priorities and the methodology to achieve their objectives. Even if they were to agree on any topic and work on some issue, its implementation may not be immediate as each has their own details to work out. Both leaders have and have access to more information than any of the public to decide on any topic or issue. And, they must deal with other related topics and issues that affect any discussion as well as the structure and system they must deal with before implementation.

So again as with Trump and Putin, it is wrong to assume or expect that the current meeting had to have some kind of concrete results that we may have wanted or expected.

Well his first attempt ended with bowel trouble and the second attempt has and credit to him resulted in a vetenary school that's not needed and exposing Nippon Kaige resulting admitadly to his wife's disappearance from the media. So I would give him a half thumb up! After I sever half my thumb. And I would say retirment is a planned action and if you can not plan for this you really should not be in charge.

Did Putin give Abe a judo lesson?

I am very proud to learn the ways of Japanese martial arts, from Gracie Jyujitu, Judo and Aikido. I've found how to respect each other even with opponents, what's real human respect...As I grew up in South America and I lived the latino life to see in my youth the wonderful Japanese spirit of Bushido I really think myself lucky. Unfortunately, I don't see any of this spirit in Mr. Abe.

Abe has never achieved anything. He flys around in his two jumbo jests to about 50 countries and give away our tax money as “aid”. Putin was ready for peace, but Abe’s ego is bigger than his head.

More photo-ops and PR, but no results. Abe's even looking like a really old man in that photo.

kazetsukai,

"A face to face dialog is always a good thing for world leaders regardless of results."

The issues in "face to face dialogues" are decided long before the meeting. As scripted and researched as the photograph above.

There is now considerable doubt that Putin "suddenly" on the spur of the moment, made the offer to conclude a peace treaty this year without conditions.

Much more learned folks than me believe it was carefully calculated and it's intent was to put all the pressure on Abe and rid Putin of the constant annoyance of the topic being brought up. The ball is in Abe's court now.

And that photo speaks a 1,000 words for sure. Putin - a judo fan and competitor - seems to be focussed deeply on the contest, while Abe appears aged, tired and staring blankly away.

The reality of the situation is that Abe/Japan has little leverage with Putin/Russia on most things.

The next year will be interesting.

"Actually, the issue was resolved toward the end of WWII, when Russia reclaimed its territory."

According to Russia. You can't look at a map and tell me that Kunashiri and the Habomai Islands are Russian islands. They're within a few kilometers of Hokkaido, which Russia would probably have taken as well, if not for the American Occupation after WW2.

The Cairo Declaration of 1943 stated: "Japan will also be expelled from all other territories which she has taken by violence and greed". The four islads in dispute were never taken by violence or greed, and recognized by Russia as Japanese territory by a Treaty negotiated and signed in 1855.

“The United States recognizes Japanese sovereignty over these islands,” Marie Harf, a State Department spokeswoman, told reporters, reiterating the U.S. position on the territorial dispute between Tokyo and Moscow."

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/08/14/national/u-s-recognizes-japans-sovereignty-over-russian-held-isles-official/

The U.S. Senate Resolution of April 28, 1952, ratifying of the San Francisco Treaty, explicitly stated that the USSR had no title to the Kurils,[22] the resolution stating:

As part of such advice and consent the Senate states that nothing the treaty [San Francisco Peace Treaty] contains is deemed to diminish or prejudice, in favor of the Soviet Union, the right, title, and interest of Japan, or the Allied Powers as defined in said treaty, in and to South Sakhalin and its adjacent islands, the Kurile Islands, the Habomai Islands, the Island of Shikotan, or any other territory, rights, or interests possessed by Japan on December 7, 1941, or to confer any right, title, or benefit therein or thereto on the Soviet Union.

received this from one of my Japanese Linkedin connections - The four islands problem was originally created by the US govt just after the war. After the war (or even during the war) Stalin wanted to have the half of Hokkaido (just like Berlin) but Pres Truman rejected the idea. And Pres Truman gave four islands to Stalin instead. Japanese govt has been insisting that Soviet stole four islands but it is not true. (These were simply given by the US to USSR). Japan lost the war and we don’t have any right to claim fours islands back. (We can, of course, negotiate with Putin but it is very weak) It is the inconvenient truth Japanese people must face. I think PM Abe knows the true history and the precondition is not workable.