Military Context of Territory

Russian President Vladimir Putin unequivocally denied on Thursday the possibility of returning Northern Territory of Japan, which he called in Russian name Kuril Islands. In an interview to the representatives of international wire agencies, Putin realized a possibility that United States would deploy missile system against Russia, if Russia returned those islands to Japan. For Putin, the territorial dispute is not about implementation of bilateral treaty but military strategy.

It was the first time for Russian President to connect the dispute over Northern Territory with U.S. military power in Japan. “Concerning the theoretical possibility of the U.S. troop deployment on these islands if we assume that they would someday come under the sovereignty of Japan. Well, yes, this possibility exists,” said Putin, according to the interpretation of United Press International. “It follows from an agreement and… signed protocols…They don’t show them to us, but we generally know their content…There is a possibility of U.S. troop deployment on there territories.”

U.S. has an obligation to protect Japan from outer threats, based on a bilateral security treaty signed after World War II. Asahi Shimbun reported that Putin referred to enhancement of Russian forces in Northern Territory as necessary counteraction against U.S. Force. “It is possible that U.S. missile defense system will be deployed on those islands, which is not acceptable for Russia,” said Putin. Putin recognizes Kamchatka Peninsula and Kuril Islands as the front line for defense in Asia-Pacific region.

It is likely that negotiation between Japan and Russia on peace treaty after settling dispute over Northern Territory will be further complicated. Japan has been arguing that those islands were belonging to Japan as its inherited territory, based on some treaties between imperial Russia and feudal Japan in mid-19^th century. The discussion over the territory may be changed from interpretation of bilateral treaties to international politics over military power balance by the statement of Putin.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been looking for a breakthrough with economic cooperation with Russia. Abe and Putin agreed on exploring new economic projects in Far East Russia, including Northern Territory, leaving the issue of sovereignty aside. While Abe expected preferable outcome of those economic exchanges, Putin’s connection of the territory issue with U.S. military power in Japan will cause returning to traditional deadlocks in the negotiation between Japan and Russia. Abe must be disappointed with losing momentum for major diplomatic achievement.