Japan denies discussing joint administration of disputed Russian-held isles

If they're denying it it's likely they did it. In any case, they're neveer getting anything back so long as they demand them all back (now or later). They had chances and blew them all.

Snap election looming...use the media.

Japan should be given full control, there is no other acceptable option

That's not even an option. So if Japan likes to act that way, then the Kurils are Russian. So Japan better be more careful sending their nationals in a Russia-held territory next time.

kiyoshiMukai,

You only need to bribe people to get things done.

That's OK, then. Abe is good at bribery. He really doesn't mind spending other people's money at all!

Only this time, he'd better make sure they actually return the islands first!

The problem is that as long as Japan ties its security to the U.S., it will have very limited options regarding Russia. Obviously Russia would love to be able to hedge with both China and Japan, using both to its advantage. Not going to happen as long as the U.S. sees Russia as a threat to Europe or its national interests in the Middle East, whether real or perceived. That means that Russia's most important foreign relationship will continue to be with China. Likewise Siberia will continue to rely on Chinese trade and investment. Geopolitically, Russia and China will slowly but steadily get closer for the foreseeable future.

ThePBot OCT. 18, 2016 - 08:30AM JST Kurils being Russian is the cause of that??

Who said anything about Kurils being Russian? If Kurils being Russian, why would Russia offer two islands back to Japan in 1956 if you own it? Japan refused. Putin still has the same offer on the table. Any treaty with Russia is a problem.

The first Russo-Japanese agreement to deal with the status of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands was the 1855. The islands of Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai Islands, that all lie to the south of Etorofu, are not explicitly mentioned in the treaty and were understood at the time to be a non-disputed part of Japan. The treaty also specified that the island of Sakhalin/Karafuto was not to be partitioned but was to remain under a joint Russo-Japanese condominium.

In a subsequent 1875 Treaty of Saint Petersburg Russia and Japan agreed that Japan would give up all rights to Sakhalin in exchange for Russia giving up all rights to the Kurile Islands to Japan. The 1905 Treaty of Portsmouth, gave the southern half of Sakhalin Island to Japan. In 1875, the treaty of St. Petersburg, Russia gave up all rights to the Kurile Islands to Japan.

Russia gave away islands to China so why is it so hesitant to do so with Japan?

No change needed unless there are serious administrative problems.

I love it when Government officials that aren't authorized to speak to anyone, leak info to the press for some some secret cash...lol

leak info to the press for some some secret cash...lol

More likely just someone wanting to scotch any deal.

ThePBot OCT. 18, 2016 - 12:13AM JST So if Japan likes to act that way, then the Kurils are Russian. So Japan better be more careful sending their nationals in a Russia-held territory next time.

No wonder the average monthly salary in Russia is only $450.00. Russia's total GDP is less than the tiny country of South Korea.

I love it when Government officials that aren't authorized to speak to anyone, leak info to the press for some some secret cash...lol

If anyone thinks that things get "leaked" without someone above knowing about it have their heads in the sand. The press are lapdogs of the government and only publish or report information that the government explicitly sanctions. It would be a pretty safe bet that this information came from someone high up enough to know and high up enough to not care about the consequences of "leaking" this information.

Like so many other "leaks" they are in reality trial balloons put up by Abe and the government to judge public opinion on the issue. If they don't get a lot of backlash they will probably proceed on the premise that the people wont mind. If too much, plausible deniability.

Not to mention that these "secret" negotiations would fall under the state secrets act and whomever "leaked" the information without authorization could find themselves in hot water or worse.

Someone knew and authorized it, in my opinion.

No wonder the average monthly salary in Russia is only $450.00. Russia's total GDP is less than the tiny country of South Korea.

Kurils being Russian is the cause of that?? What a weird conclusion to make all of a sudden. I didn't know we are talking about GDP numbers here.

DieReality: Dark shadows on horizon. Russia has just started free land distibution of Northern Territories, which includes Shikotan reported by Sankei

Where do we sign up?

turbotsat: Where do we sign up?

Kremlin butt-kisser

Russia will never cede control back to Japan in any shape or form as it won't be long before the US badgers Japan to set up a base or two.The Russians aren't that stupid!

sfjp330: In 1875, the treaty of St. Petersburg, Russia gave up all rights to the Kurile Islands to Japan.

Well, but then Japan lost WWII.

Dark shadows on horizon. Russia has just started free land distibution of Northern Territories, which includes Shikotan reported by Sankei

If Russia doesn't give them back, deport all the Russian strippers and prossies plaguing the streets of Tokyo who contribute so much in remittances to the Kremlin budget. Then cancel all natural gas and oil imports which would send the squalid population back to the dark ages. Being such a poor country, Russia doesn't have too much leverage here

Japan should be given full control, there is no other acceptable option I have no doubt Russia will return the islands and that Japan should eventually be in control. One things for sure its going to take a mountain of political and financial concessions for Russia if Japan ever has a hope of getting them returned.

"We were just discussing the weather and other light topics."

"Nothing to do with joint administration, honest!"

Japanese foreign ministry spokesman

You only need to brive people to get things done. Putin loves money but also loves his image.

Japan should be given full control, there is no other acceptable option