Japan, Russia discuss peace treaty negotiations

Talk about a relationship that runs hot and cold. One day they harshly criticize each other and the next day they blow kisses.

These two countries have issues for sure, but neither wants to see China attain it's self declared goal of becoming the dominant strategic power in the region.

A lot of things could be why this is going on, but it's still good if Japan can settle some disputed islands.

There are some serious progress here that I haven't witnessned for a decade.

Russia also supports Japan's move toward collective self defence (leaving Korea as still the only one that's whining for no apparent reason) and also agreed to hold joint drill exercizes at Sea of Ohotsuku. (Guess which country both Japan and Russia are getting sick about).

Russian guy looks awkward - hungover or doesn't want to be there at all...

OssanAmericaNov. 02, 2013 - 09:26AM JST

These two countries have issues for sure, but neither wants to see China attain it's self declared goal of becoming the dominant strategic power in the region.

nigelboyNov. 02, 2013 - 09:33AM JST

Russia also supports Japan's move toward collective self defence (leaving Korea as still the only one that's whining for no apparent reason) and also agreed to hold joint drill exercizes at Sea of Ohotsuku. (Guess which country both Japan and Russia are getting sick about).

What Planet to you 2 live on?

Russia and China have probably the best relationship they have had with each other for 50 years

China and Russia strongly oppose most US policies from military intervention to NSA snooping

China is a major buyer of Russian weaponry and the two countries held their biggest joint naval exercise in the Sea of Japan in July this year.

The two countries enjoy a growing trade relationship, expected to be worth $100 billion by 2015, that is based heavily on China buying Russian energy exports such as oil and gas.

When Xi officially became China's president in March this year, his first overseas trip was to Russia.

Get a grip!!!!!

U.S. has already benefited now it is Russia's turn....Japan keep going (!)

DogNov. 02, 2013 - 12:47PM JST

What Planet to you 2 live on? Russia and China have probably the best relationship they have had with each other for 50 years

Please name the Strategic Alliance between the Russian Federation and PRC and when it went into effect.

I'm sorry, but what does Japan get? Russia has already stated that they will not return the two islands they are obligated to return and will not talk about the other two. They also said that all four islands are sovereign Russian territory and none of the islands will be given to Japan, so what is there for Japan to get out of this apart from sweet flip all?

it's still good if Japan can settle some disputed islands.

The dispute had already been resolved in Article 2 (c) of the San Francisco Peace Treaty which says

"Japan renounces all right, title and claim to the Kurile Islands, and to that portion of Sakhalin and the islands adjacent to it over which Japan acquired sovereignty as a consequence of the Treaty of Portsmouth of 5 September 1905."

As for Japan's territorial dispute with China, there is no way for Japan to claim those islands since it even agreed to give up its claim to the Ryukyu islands, the long island chain in-between Japan and the Senkaku/ Diaoyu islands for the US to hand it over to the United Nations under the UN trusteeship system (UN system for decolonization) for future independence in Article 3 of the San Francisco Peace Treaty.

Article 3

"Japan will concur in any proposal of the United States to the United Nations to place under its trusteeship system, with the United States as the sole administering authority, Nansei Shoto south of 29 deg north latitude (that's the Ryukyu islands but excluding the Diaoyu Islands which are located further south between 25 to 26 degree north latitude )...

By the way, the UN trusteeship system did help many former colonies throughout the world to gain independence since its foundation as can be seen from its website:

http://www.un.org/en/decolonization/nonselfgov.shtml

And from Wikipedia,

"The United Nations Trusteeship Council, one of the principal organs of the United Nations, was established to help ensure that trust territories were administered in the best interests of their inhabitants and of international peace and security. The trust territories—most of them former mandates of the League of Nations or territories taken from nations defeated at the end of World War II—have all now attained self-government or independence, either as separate nations or by joining neighbouring independent countries."

@ OssanAmerica Nov. 03 2013

"Please name the strategic Alliance between the Russia Federation and PRC and when it went into effect"

Having best relation does not mean that they need to enter into a strategic Alliance. Sound like you could not differentiate between the terms best of relation and Strategic Alliance.

Not going to happen. Russians will NEVER give the islands back.

Japan is fooling itself if it thinks that Russia will return any of those STOLEN islands back to Tokyo. Russia wants Japan to throw away money on the islands because Moscow does not have the funds to do it themselves.

What Planet to you 2 live on?

Earth. It appears you have no idea the importance of the passage of Soya Strait and Sea of Okhotsk means to both Russians and PLA. Putin wasn't too thrilled when few PLA vessels passed through the area right after the joint Navy drills. Hence, the massive snap drill by Russia in the said area followed with this recent announcement to have joint drills in this area with Japan.

This peace treaty amounts to Japan accepting Russia's de facto control over the northern islands. I occupy your islands, now lets have peace. That's what it is.

nigelboyNov. 04, 2013 - 05:46AM JST

. Putin wasn't too thrilled when few PLA vessels passed through the area right after the joint Navy drills. Hence, the massive snap drill by Russia

Get your facts right. The PLA vessels sailing through La Perouse straits on July 16th were the second of Chinese joint naval drills with Russia. Not at the time nor, anywhere on the net does Putin take offence with it.

How could he, when his navy is operating with the Chinese navy?

Get your facts right. The PLA vessels sailing through La Perouse straits on July 16th were the second of Chinese joint naval drills with Russia. Not at the time nor, anywhere on the net does Putin take offence with it.

No it wasn't. The move was conducted after the drills were over.

nigelboyNov. 04, 2013 - 11:38PM JST

No it wasn't. The move was conducted after the drills were over.

Wrong again, Nigelboy!!!!!

What's changed?

Here are 2 sources, but there's hundreds on the net and besides do you know how idiotic your claim sounds that China would do the dirty on Russia just 4 days after finishing joint naval exercises?

http://realtruth.org/news/130806-001.html

http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/07/16/ruch-j16.html

China and Russia are doing fine in their relationship, just fine.

Now you give me one source, that isn't Japanese, that claims that the 16th July Chinese naval penetration into La Perouse straits annoyed Russia and wasn't part og the joint naval exercises.

Just one.

Wrong again, Nigelboy!!!!!

??? There's a reason why the Russia called them "snap" drills.

Now you give me one source, that isn't Japanese, that claims that the 16th July Chinese naval penetration into La Perouse straits annoyed Russia and wasn't part og the joint naval exercises.

You even stated "4 days after finishing joint naval exercizes". So it's not part of it, is it? Why do you think Japan and Russia agreed to hold joint naval exercizes in this said area in question only after a few months?

The Japanese themselves have become increasingly open to expanding economic ties with Russia despite the territorial dispute, removing another incentive for Russia to make major concessions. Russians can challenge Japan aggressively regarding the islands and still secure considerable Japanese investment and commerce. In the long term, one would expect the Japanese to make the most concessions, since China's continuing rise presents a greater threat to Japan's interests. In addition, better ties between Russia and Japan might prove to be important for near future geopolitical realignment that sees Russia adopt a more guarded approach to China. Until such a softening occurs on the Japanese side, Russia has little incentive to change its approach to the island dispute, and many reasons to maintain its tougher stance.

nigelboyNov. 05, 2013 - 12:49AM JST

You even stated "4 days after finishing joint naval exercizes". So it's not part of it, is it? Why do you think Japan and Russia agreed to hold joint naval exercizes in this said area in question only after a few months?

Non-Japanese source please for Putin being angry

and you obviuosly haven't got a clue about joint military exercises because if you had, you would know that they often, if the participants agree, go on for a few extra days, if things went well.

A bit like an encore at a concert

and you obviuosly haven't got a clue about joint military exercises because if you had, you would know that they often, if the participants agree, go on for a few extra days, if things went well

A snap drill that mobilized 160k Russian military personal, one of the largest in their post war history? Followed by an agreement to have Japan do a joint drill in the said area only after a few months? Where is your head at, Dog?

nigelboyNov. 05, 2013 - 01:16PM JST

A snap drill that mobilized 160k Russian military personal, one of the largest in their post war history? Followed by an agreement to have Japan do a joint drill in the said area only after a few months? Where is your head at, Dog?

God!!!!!

Once again, it wasn't a snap drill, it was an extension of the original drill.

Just listen to the illogic of your own reasoning. China and Russia hold the biggest naval exercises ever held between them in La Perouse straits and then 4 days later China does the dirty on them. Do you realise how silly your logic sounds.

I'm still waiting for a non-Japanese source that Putin was peeved with China for extending the naval exercises, I gave you 2 that said otherwise.

Like I said... China and Russia's relations have not been better since the late 1950's, get over yourself or put a bit of non-Japanese evoidence on the table.

Once again, it wasn't a snap drill, it was an extension of the original drill.

Google "snap drills okhotsk"

Just listen to the illogic of your own reasoning. China and Russia hold the biggest naval exercises ever held between them in La Perouse straits and then 4 days later China does the dirty on them. Do you realise how silly your logic sounds.

The drills were in Sea of Japan which concluded on July 12th. Your geography is out of whack.

http://thediplomat.com/flashpoints-blog/2013/07/17/russia-holds-massive-military-drill-aimed-at-china-japan/

Japan and Russia holds joint exercises Sea of Japan as well as off the coast of Vladiovostok almost on an annual basis since 1998. China, for the first time, passes five vessels through the Soya strait and to Sea of Okhotsk thereby breaking through the first island chain. Just a few months later, Japan and Russia agree to hold a joint area in the said area. You figure it out.

@Dog

Again I must ask you to leave the country you hate so much. Don't worry, we will be okay without you LOL