Putin expected to visit Japan at year-end

Nothing really meaningful will come from this meeting- the west and russia are still at odds and Japan is not about to upset the west by having a meaningful dialogue with putin. But, I could be wrong. Lets wait and see.

He's main objective would likely be to hawk cheap natural gas deals which is definitely welcome. otherwise Abe should be skeptical

Russia and Japan are still officially at war. Might as well invite NK to the party.

main objective would likely be to hawk cheap natural gas

Plenty of natural gas in Nagatacho, but atrocious value for money.

Beware of Greeks bearing gifts. Be very skeptical, Abe.

Put me down for 50-50 that this meeting will even take place. Seriously people, what is the likelihood that Russia is going to do something dumb out of desperation before then and get whacked by more sanctions? What is the likelihood that some Putin minion is going to go visit the islands and enrage the Japanese populace?

Ugh. And that is not all.

I am pretty sure people are not paying attention, but there is a LOT more natural gas available in Asia than people are willing to pay for. Korea and Japan have been refusing shipments, even as more capacity from Qatar and Australia is coming on line. Even China is going to be exporting gas and distillates one of these days if present trends continue. And let's factor in that, because Japan and Korea pay more for nat gas than anybody else, there are about five other countries, nice friendly nations, ready to rush in and get Japanese contracts if anyone else slips up.

Some group of observers got going on a thread last week about how much ABE NEEDS THIS. What a joke. The BEST thing Putin could do would be to make a grand gesture and just GIVE the islands back, all four of them, and watch eyebrows worldwide shoot through the ceiling. Of course, that won't happen. Putin the chessplayer keeps being put in check and his king is moving toward a corner. He thinks he can get a stalemate, but time is against him and everyone else can wait as long as it takes.

Russia. The next Venezuela.