Putin accepts invitation to visit Japan

Abe is turning to Russia, now that the Americans don't like him any more. Getting cozy with the enemy will only make it worse. When Obama goes to the north east Asian tour in April, he will pointedly skip Japan. Let's see who's boss around here!

Here Putin something for you to listen , little Russophile song from Japan http://youtu.be/Qql3c6OgGrM :)

rsgz4gg7y2@ : Just my 2 roubles : who cares about Obama or his attitude in this case ? Who cares if Americans like or dislike mr Abe ?

Oh dear, wall-to-wall black trucks.

This is amusing, now Putin becomes a hot “commodity” in Asia; both Japan and China are trying to go extra distance to woo him.

The Obama’s scheduled Asian trip has little to do with Russia, and at this point, there is no compelling reason he would skip Japan, a longtime ally of the US.

rsgz4gg7y2Jan. 22, 2014 - 07:34AM JST Abe is turning to Russia, now that the Americans don't like him any more. Getting cozy with the enemy will only make >it worse. When Obama goes to the north east Asian tour in April, he will pointedly skip Japan. Let's see who's boss >around here!

Nice fantasy. Russia is not happy with China's declared intent to become the Sole Strategic Power in the Pacific. Better the enemy you've known for 69 years than the one that just got rich and thinks he can take over the world. The Americans don't like him anymore? We just got the Futenma issue sorted out and the Abe administration is forcing it down the local throats. Guess you never read this either: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/10/215070.htm No US president can skip Japan. Especially when there are countries like this: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/oct/31/inside-china-nuclear-submarines-capable-of-widespr/

This visit will not result in Japan getting any of the Northern Territories back. Putin will act all nice, say the things Japan will want to hear but in the end, Japan will be screwed over by Russia yet again and will not regain any of the islands back from Moscow

The possibility of the four islands being split, as once almost concluded between USSR and Japan, is now a real possibility that will lead to a formal Peace Treaty.

Vladimir, you're welcome to visit. Just leave the children anole, please.

"Abe is turning to Russia, now that the Americans don't like him any more."

Japan has never been shy about engaging with other countries when they can benefit in some way. That's not a criticism, just a fact. In this case it's business and the island situation. Do you really think Japan will abandon their alliance with the US?

Since the dispute over the islands has prevented them from signing a peace treaty it will be interesting to see whether there is hope that the two powers can move past this issue when Mr. Putin visits Japan. But historical conflicts, natural pride, and a lack of political and economic incentives will probably prevent any positive outcome. However there are actually long-term benefits which could result in a solution that could be leading to a realistic compromise. The possibility of a offer to return two of the islands is realistic but Japan will never be able to have all the disputed islands returned period. To be honest I don't envision any real partnership between the two countries because they are only looking out for themselves only to enhance their own position in Asia Pacific for now and not willing to make any real serious lasting commitment. So Mr. Putin may have accepted Mr. Abe's invitation only out of courtesy.

This will really get China riled up. And also the nationalist weirdos will go into overdrive about our northern islands etc. no sleep for me on Sunday mornings.....

No doubt because Abe supported him by promising to go to the Sochi olympics, he`s returning the favour

This visit will not result in Japan getting any of the Northern Territories back. Putin will act all nice, say the things Japan will want to hear but in the end, Japan will be screwed over by Russia yet again and will not regain any of the islands back from Moscow

You might be right, but it's still better than the childish bickering between China and Japan. I'm sure it's more complicated, but with all these disputed islands it seems to me Japan lost a war that they started so it stands to reason that they would lose some territory.

Just looking at a map objectively, the Kuril Islands could be split between Japan and Russia, the Senkakus would go to Taiwan, and Korea marginally beats out Japan for the Takeshimas. China loses out, but it would be great PR for them if they used that position to broker a deal with these countries. Of course it will never happen, but one can dream.

This visit will not result in Japan getting any of the Northern Territories back

As for getting back any of the northern territories, Japan has to remember it lost the war. Has Germany complained about losing Alsace-Lorraine at the of World Wars 1 and 2? No. They have accepted things as they are. For Japan to even dream of getting some of its "territories" back, it must first show flexibility. At the moment, that is non-existent. Refusing to negotiate with China over Diaoyu is hardly going to encourage Russia to negotiate over the northern territories. If Japan had any sense in this, it would settle for the return of two of the islands, like Russia has previously offered. Insisting on the return of all territories is just pure blind stubbornness. Let`s not forget Japan fired the first shots in the war of 1904-05 with Russia, so its hardly in a position to make demands to begin with

If he brought Snowdon along, now THAT would be picture taking time at the airport.

Oh look, a quote from Putin himself saying that relations with Japan are improving. Putin is a gentleman who knows its always better to accept an invitation to talk.

This should send the fifty centers into a tizzy.

The big different between Russia and China is: Russian is much tougher than Chinese, Japan got experience from Russian couple times. So little Japanese keeps quite even if Russia flys bomber circling Japan islands with other 4 islands in hand. Same thing happens on Japan`s father country: US. Japan acts like a cute little girl facing US since 2 boys dropped to the island in 1945. Watch Abe's crazy pornlike acting, then u get my point. Really can't help looking down Japan.

OMG! Putin might get smothered by gay comedians at some point! How will he defend himself??

perhaps it's more than just the mere island that urges Japan to turn its relation with Russia. It could be counter balance strategies of Japan.