Appealing Independent Diplomacy

On the Day of Northern Territory on Sunday, the government of Japan held a national meeting for requiring Russia to return the Territory to Japan. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed his diplomatic effort to settle the problem, including his possible visit to Russia later this year. However, there was no idea from Abe to make preferable environment of international politics, in which Northern Territory issue can be discussed earnestly.

Russian Army invaded and occupied Northern Territory, consisted of the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and Habomai Archipelago, at the end of World War II in 1945. Japanese government has been arguing that Russian advance was a violation of Shimoda Treaty in 1855, to which both nations agreed on drawing their border between the islands of Etorofu and Uruppu. To promote civil movement to return the territory, Japanese government determined that the day of signature for Shimoda Treaty, February 7^th, would be Day of Northern Territory.

In his remark of the ceremony, Abe emphasized abnormal situation of the territory, which had not settled even after seventy years from the end of war. “Engraving serious sentiment of the former residents deeply in my heart, I will persistently be involved in the negotiation to the final solution through dialogue in top leader level,” told Abe, quoting the agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to consider Abe’s visit to Russia before Putin’s visit to Japan.

Putin should have visited Japan a few years ago, based on the agreements between the top leaders. But, Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 fundamentally undermined international relationship between the Western Nations and Russia. Since then, Russia has not been invited to Group 8 Summit. It is still unlikely for Putin to join the Summit this year hosted by Abe.

Abe has not give up a choice to invite Putin to the Summit, however. That can be recognized as an appeasement by other Summit members. In addition, inviting Russia does not make sense for Japan. Russia’s unilateral occupation of Crimea should be paralleled with the advance to Northern Territory. Soft attitude to Putin may be weakening Japan’s standpoint on Northern Territory issue. Japan has to show its unshaken determination to denounce Russia’s behavior over Crimea or Ukraine.

Northern Territory issue is not a tool for legacy making of Prime Minister. It is the effort for regaining homeland of former residents. Before appealing independent diplomacy, Japanese government has to set a firm basis to negotiate with Russia.