Taking Toll of Being West

With no strange reason, taking Western side took a toll of bilateral relationship with an Eurasian giant. Russian President, Vladimir Putin, expressed his unpleasantness on Japan’s sanction against his nation as a protest against invasion to Crimea and Eastern Ukraine in his press conference with reporters in St. Petersburg. Negotiation over the Northern Territory of Japan got into confusion as it had always been.

Putin did not hide his surprise on Japan’s decision of sanction against Russia. Even though Japanese sanction had been softer than the measures of other Western countries, Putin told that he recognized it as an act of suspending the process of bilateral negotiation over peace treaty including territorial issue. “Though we have willingness for negotiation, I still don’t know whether Japan want to do it,” said Putin.

This should be realized as new pressure of Russia to Japan, the nation which embraced a great concern in future energy supply. Putin made a deal with Chinese President a few days ago to stand together against historical revisionism, which indicated controversial view of Japanese Premier, Shinzo Abe. His skepticism on bilateral negotiation with Japan showed Russia’s standpoint that it did not necessarily need to make a big compromise to Japan, as far as Russian-Chinese relationship would be moderate.

Putin’s negative attitude will significantly affect diplomacy of Abe. As he said in his policy speech to the Diet in January, which expressed his eagerness to build a partnership with Russia, Abe recognized this bilateral relationship as one of a few hopeful diplomacies with major powers. Although both countries have been accumulating talks on official levels, Putin’s visit to Japan may be cancelled, if this skepticism will be lying between the two leaders.

There is no sign of improvement between them, as situation in Ukraine has no preferable progress for Russia. Following a victory of a pro-European candidate in presidential election, Ukraine seems to be more leaning on Western side. It is likely for Russia to take more negative attitude against new Ukrainian administration, possibly pushing Japan into taking further distance from Russia.

It has basically been inappropriate to have independent diplomacy with Russia under the nuclear umbrella of the United States. This naïve leader believed that moderate personal relationship with Russian President would work for a breakthrough in that difficult negotiation. Before providing with concerns to neighbor countries, including Russia, by promoting personal right wing agenda as seen, for example, in reinterpreting the pacifist constitution, Abe needs to take on realistic diplomacy to build a constructive relationship.