Insisting on Inviting Russian President

Without any persuasive reasons, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shows positive eagerness in improving diplomatic relation with Russia for this summer. Despite negative reputation of dictatorial President Vladimir Putin in Western community, Abe distinguishes bilateral relationship with Russia from international politics. He perhaps thinks that diplomacy to Russia may be a booster for his domestic support.

In a telephone talk last week, Abe and Putin reconfirmed the schedule of Putin to visit Japan later this year and continuous dialogue for progress on the issue of disputed Northern Territory. The talk was suggested from Japan side. Abe was reportedly willing to invite Putin this year to make a momentum on Northern Territory issue with seventieth anniversary from the end of World War II.

Unfortunately, Abe has received a negative sign from Russia. Russian congress passed a law for banning salmon fishery with drifting net in the area of Russian exclusive economic zone. With the law, Japanese salmon fishing boats in Hokkaido will be excluded from Northern Pacific Ocean, which many cause job loss and price hike of Japan’s traditional resource of protein. “I hope you to continue a traditional cooperation between Japanand Russia,” told Abe to Putin in the telephone talk.

Putin pretends to be willing to accept Abe’s request of visiting Japan. “Every issue can be solved,” told Putin on Northern Territory in the interview with foreign media. Russian economy is getting weak with sanction from Western countries, which have been critical on Russia’s annexation of Crimea. As a counter measure against Western coalition, Putin approaches Japan.

Abe is going to send Director of National Security Council to Moscow early in July to pave the way to Putin’s visit. He hopes to take steps to Foreign Ministers meeting in late August or early September, summit meeting in an international conference such as Group 20 in November, and Putin’s visit to Japan before the end of this year, according to diplomatic staffs.

Abe has mostly no opportunity to gain further internal popularity after this summer. Economy is not getting better amidst volatile market on foreign exchange and stocks. Relationship with China or South Korea cannot be improved with his consistency on historical revisionism. There has been no positive sign form North Korea on abduction issue. Security legislature is causing broad criticism on his unilateral reinterpretation of the Constitution of Japan. 

But, it is unlikely for Abe to get strong position in diplomacy with Russia.Russia has no reason to make a compromise on a territory issue, when Russian people give strong support on annexation of Crimea. Even if Abe will be successful in inviting Putin, the outcome may be something bitter to him.