On Tuesday (September 27), a day after the Russian security service FSB announced that it had detained a Japanese consul in Vladivostok for possible espionage and ordered him to leave the country, Tokyo accused Moscow of mistreating the diplomat and demanded a formal apology.

As per AFP, talking to the press, top government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno claimed that the "official was blindfolded, with pressure applied to both his hands and head so he was unable to move while being detained, and then he was questioned in an overbearing way."

Watch |&nbsp;Putin's mobilisation call: Russian men flee country to avoid fighting in the ongoing Ukraine war

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russian-men-flee-country-to-avoid-fighting-in-the-ongoing-war-519987/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Denying the espionage charges Matsuno said that his country "strongly protests these unbelievable acts".

Reuters reports that as per Matsuno Moscow's detention of the consul was clearly in "violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations."

He further stated that the detained consul "was not engaging in any illegal activity," and that Japan summoned the Russian ambassador and "demanded a formal apology" for how the diplomat had been treated. Tokyo has also threatened that it "needs to take equivalent steps".&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-diplomat-arrested-in-russia-by-its-federal-security-service-suspected-of-spying-519888">Japanese diplomat arrested in Russia by its Federal Security Service, suspected of spying</a>

As per FSB intelligence actions of the Japanese diplomat located in Vladivostok, a port city in eastern Russia, led to him being deemed as "persona non grata."

The agency claims that the envoy was "red-handedly" caught acquiring classified information about how Western sanctions were affecting the economic climate in Russia's far east.

(With inputs from agencies)

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On Tuesday (September 27), a day after the Russian security service FSB announced that it had detained a Japanese consul in Vladivostok for possible espionage and ordered him to leave the country, Tokyo accused Moscow of mistreating the diplomat and demanded a formal apology.

On Tuesday (September 27), a day after the Russian security service FSB announced that it had detained a Japanese consul in Vladivostok for possible espionage and ordered him to leave the country, Tokyo accused Moscow of mistreating the diplomat and demanded a formal apology. As per AFP, talking to the press, top government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno claimed that the "official was blindfolded, with pressure applied to both his hands and head so he was unable to move while being detained, and then he was questioned in an overbearing way." Watch | Putin's mobilisation call: Russian men flee country to avoid fighting in the ongoing Ukraine war Denying the espionage charges Matsuno said that his country "strongly protests these unbelievable acts". Reuters reports that as per Matsuno Moscow's detention of the consul was clearly in "violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations." He further stated that the detained consul "was not engaging in any illegal activity," and that Japan summoned the Russian ambassador and "demanded a formal apology" for how the diplomat had been treated. Tokyo has also threatened that it "needs to take equivalent steps". Also read | Japanese diplomat arrested in Russia by its Federal Security Service, suspected of spying As per FSB intelligence actions of the Japanese diplomat located in Vladivostok, a port city in eastern Russia, led to him being deemed as "persona non grata." The agency claims that the envoy was "red-handedly" caught acquiring classified information about how Western sanctions were affecting the economic climate in Russia's far east. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japan demands apology from Russia over 'unbelievable' treatment of diplomat

According to reports, Japan scrambled fighter jets 1,004 times last year against approaching aircraft.

Japan's defence ministry said the heightened air activity was due to China's reported incursions. The ministry informed the Japanese jets were scambled on 725 occasions a year earlier.&nbsp;

Japan scrambled its jets 722 times against incoming Chinese aircraft up from 458 a year earlier. The Japanese defence minister said China had "rapidly developed unmanned aircraft".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tensions-may-flare-up-in-koreas-as-us-japan-navies-carry-out-drills-470738">Also Read:&nbsp;Tensions in Koreas as US, Japan navies carry out drills in region</a>

Russia was ranked second in air incursions into Japan with Japanese jets being scrambled 266 times to thwart the aggressive threat.&nbsp;

Japan's defence&nbsp;minister Nobuo Kishi said that&nbsp;"intensified activities" by Chinese jets were mainly for "intelligence gathering" which had become "diversified and sophisticated." The minister added Russia maintained its activities&nbsp;despite the Ukraine war which is currently underway.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;&nbsp;US, Japan strengthen defence ties, deal to counter hypersonic threats

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Japan's Southwestern Air Defense Force which controls the Okinawa prefecture was involved 652 times during the Chinese air incursions in 2021. The air defence zone also overseas the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

The ministry informed that China Coast Guard ships have also repeatedly intruded into its territorial waters along Senkakus which China calls Diaoyu.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-youtubers-in-japan-make-nowar-plea-467142">Also Read:&nbsp;Ukrainian YouTubers in Japan make #NoWar plea</a>

The Japanese ministry confirmed that Chinese and Russian bombers had conducted joint flights over the Sea of Japan in November including in the East China Sea and the Pacific.

(With inputs from Agencies)

According to reports, Japan scrambled fighter jets 1,004 times last year against approaching aircraft. Japan's defence ministry said the heightened air activity was due to China's reported incursions.

According to reports, Japan scrambled fighter jets 1,004 times last year against approaching aircraft. Japan's defence ministry said the heightened air activity was due to China's reported incursions. The ministry informed the Japanese jets were scambled on 725 occasions a year earlier. Japan scrambled its jets 722 times against incoming Chinese aircraft up from 458 a year earlier. The Japanese defence minister said China had "rapidly developed unmanned aircraft". Also Read: Tensions in Koreas as US, Japan navies carry out drills in region Russia was ranked second in air incursions into Japan with Japanese jets being scrambled 266 times to thwart the aggressive threat. Japan's defence minister Nobuo Kishi said that "intensified activities" by Chinese jets were mainly for "intelligence gathering" which had become "diversified and sophisticated." The minister added Russia maintained its activities despite the Ukraine war which is currently underway. Watch: US, Japan strengthen defence ties, deal to counter hypersonic threats Japan's Southwestern Air Defense Force which controls the Okinawa prefecture was involved 652 times during the Chinese air incursions in 2021. The air defence zone also overseas the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The ministry informed that China Coast Guard ships have also repeatedly intruded into its territorial waters along Senkakus which China calls Diaoyu. Also Read: Ukrainian YouTubers in Japan make #NoWar plea The Japanese ministry confirmed that Chinese and Russian bombers had conducted joint flights over the Sea of Japan in November including in the East China Sea and the Pacific. (With inputs from Agencies)

Japan scrambled jets over 1,000 times amid Chinese, Russian air activity

By Rejeanne Lacroix

Last year, the 70-year-long territorial dispute between Russia and Japan over the Kuril Islands again rose to prominence. On September 12, at an economic development conference in Vladivostok, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended the surprising offer to mutually resolve the quarrel to his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. From this point, a flurry of diplomatic engagements, such as the November 14 meeting in Singapore and a Putin-Abe tete-a-tete on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, gained significant meaning. High-level discourse is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, with Russian and Japanese foreign ministers meeting on January 14, and special envoys focused on a peace treaty to officially put an end to World War II have been established.

Much of this fresh urgency to resolve the decades-long territorial dispute presents hypothetical scenarios that a peace accord could follow. It is easy to fall into a trap that such an extended disagreement could be solved speedily and opportunely.&nbsp;

Diplomatic efforts seeking mutually acceptable solutions dotted the 20th century, and the title to the Kuril Islands remains an elusive political dilemma. Impediments to a Russo-Japanese agreement are more palpable in the current international order, with security a key factor.

Past diplomatic attempts

The Southern Kurils — or Chishima Retto, known as the Northern Territories in Japan — is a small segment of Russia’s Far-Eastern Sakhalin region. Both Russia and Japan claim sovereignty over the islands as they are located in the Sea of Okhotsk between northern Hokkaido and southern Kamchatka. Nonetheless, it is important to note that Japan unequivocally claims its rights to Iturup, Habomai, Kunashir and Shikotan islands of the archipelago.

In the waning days of World War II, the Soviet army captured the now-contested islands during the Kuril Landing Operation that took place between August 18 and September 1, 1945. Ensuing international efforts attempted to regulate a world order thrown into disarray by years of conflict and resolve the numerous questions over sovereignty in the postwar period. The Yalta Agreement (February 1945), the Potsdam Declaration (July 1945) and the Treaty of San Francisco (September 1951) provided elementary diplomatic resources for managing questions over the Kuril Islands, but they were vague and politically tarnished.

For instance, the Japanese disagreed with the indistinct wording in its terms of surrender, signed at Potsdam, which stated that “Japanese sovereignty shall be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and such minor islands as we determine.” Further, the previous agreement in Yalta, in which it was ordered the Kuril Islands be transferred to the Soviet Union, became obsolete by the time Cold War rhetoric entrenched the Allied-Japanese peace treaty in San Francisco.

On October 19, 1956, the USSR and Japan signed the Soviet-Japanese Joint Declaration. This is an important document in regard to contemporary diplomatic undertakings, as it has been offered as the basis for a resolution. Article 9 states that the Soviet Union — succeeded now by the Russian Federation — agreed to transfer the islands of Habomai and Shikotan after the conclusion of a peace treaty. Notably missing from the arrangement are the other islands of Iturup and Kunashir. As a result, it was assumed that Japan abandoned its claims to these lands, resulting in interference by the United States. Unwilling to cede an inch&nbsp;to the USSR, Washington leveraged that if the Japanese signed the two islands over to the Soviets, the Americans would retain Okinawa. No deal could be finalized under such a coercive arrangement.

In 1960, Japan and the United States signed the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. The US adopted the role of guarantor of Japanese security and laid the foundations for continued American military presence in the Pacific. An angered Moscow reacted by rescinding any agreements previously made to transfer Habomai and Shikotan to Japanese jurisdiction. This position would stand as long as foreign military installations and forces operated on Japanese territory. The influence of the United States foreshadows the stumbling blocks to a Russo-Japanese deal today.

Disparate demands

Many variables that hindered a resolution to the Kuril Islands dispute remain at the centre of contemporary diplomatic hurdles. Japan demands that questions over sovereignty must be addressed prior to any discussions of land exchange. Abe firmly stated this sentiment after the offer he made in Vladivostok in September. Tokyo brings a historical geographic case, while Moscow argues that the islands were absorbed into Russian territory as part of its wartime operations and postwar agreements. Matters of sovereignty must be resolved. However, a more pressing query must be handled first: Which components of the Pacific security framework are up for negotiation in a state of geopolitical mistrust between Russia and the United States?

Both countries find themselves in a situation where neither will wholly achieve its desired objectives. Abe stated that he is determined to facilitate negotiations on a peace treaty when he meets with Putin. Further, there are reports that Tokyo seeks to waive Russia’s responsibility to pay compensation over the displacement of Japanese citizens that once inhabited the islands. This is a positive and conciliatory development in solving the historic disagreement, however, it assumes that Russia would relinquish its claims to sovereignty over the islands before effective negotiations are complete. This clashes with Moscow’s long-stated assessment that Japan must accept the current arrangement, which is backed by international law. As sovereignty remains at the core of Japan’s claims, unless some great diplomatic feat is accomplished, issues that stymied resolution in the past will persist.

Nevertheless, Japan must negotiate under the influence of its close relationship and security pact with the United States. Putin recently asserted that US military involvement in Japan complicates any forthcoming agreement and expressed his concerns over the strategic use of an American air defense system in Japan. Abe contends that a Kuril Islands peace treaty would have a positive overall effect on the security framework of the Asia-Pacific region, which would be most beneficial to the United States. While this sounds advantageous to the Japanese public and officials in Washington, it does little to stimulate concessions from Moscow. Russia will be steadfast in its demands that the exchanged territories be exempt from the US-Japan security treaty, and that Habomai and Shikotan are off-limits to military development. This would see a continuance of rhetoric like that in Eastern Europe, where Moscow voices its displeasure of US military installations in bordering states.

As a result, Japanese concessions to Russian demands are unlikely when their guarantor of security is the United States. Mutual mistrust between Washington and Moscow under the shadow of the current geopolitical atmosphere means that Tokyo is in a difficult position to negotiate freely. Abe can speak optimistically about the security advantages in store for America. However, Russian lawmakers, such as Senator Frants Klintsevich, in turn argue in favor of preserving Russian borders and security in “broad terms.” Additionally, subsequent and separate Japanese-American discussions would be required if the two states conclusively decide to omit Habomai and Shikotan from the coverage of the security treaty. Not only is this unlikely, but it would extend the diplomatic effort needed to settle the Kuril Islands stalemate in its entirety.

Russia must also negotiate carefully. Recent precedents, such as the transfer of Tarabarov Island and a part of Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island to China in 2004 demonstrate that Moscow is capable of settling decades-old land claims. It was during this timeframe that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov subsequently extended an offer to exchange small islands in the Kuril chain for a peace treaty with Japan. Nevertheless, the political climate was more optimistic then, and American influence over Asia-Pacific security was inapplicable to that situation.

While Japanese public opinion strongly supports the recuperation of its perceived territory, Russian polling demonstrates a robust dissatisfaction were Moscow to relinquish sovereignty of the Kuril Islands. Residents of the Sakhalin region are markedly in disagreement with any proposed exchange of sovereignty. Since the official announcements to reopen the issue emerged, citizens have sent letters to Putin, and the local branch of the Communist Party organized a protest. Any sort of finalized Russo-Japanese peace treaty without consulting the affected population will be an additional example of the Russian Far East feeling further disconnected from Moscow. Authorities focus on the economic potential of the region and thus give adequate attention to these matters. However, it seems as though little thought is directed toward deeper disenfranchisement in the Far East if a settlement is reached.

Island-scale militarisation

Japan stresses that the Kuril Islands must be demilitarised if any serious proposals are to come to fruition. That is a lofty demand. Moscow’s security outlook incorporates strategic use of the isles as a part of its Pacific defence operations. In this case, Moscow follows its evident modus operandi of establishing military installations in disputed areas. While not a part of Russia proper like the Kuril Islands, Russia established military bases in South Ossetia and Abkhazia under similar pretences. Use of this tactic enhances the reach of Moscow’s security framework from the mainland and, in this case, the Pacific region.

US involvement in the Pacific, as well as ongoing security concerns in the region, provides Russia with strong arguments to only accept a deal that protects its interests and security. Subsequently, it is safe to predict that Russia will stick to the claim that its sovereignty over the South Kurils is non-negotiable, as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated today, and a settlement to the dispute does not mean any territory will be exchanged.

While touting Russian Arctic military capabilities, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu recently noted the continued construction of military infrastructure on the Kurils. This is part of a steady Russification of the lands and falls in step with previous Russian government announcements. For example, on February 10, 2011, then-President Dmitry Medvedev instructed that sophisticated weaponry be deployed to the offshore bases as part of an overall security plan for greater Russia. Following this, in 2016, it was announced that the Kremlin would deploy Bal and Bastion rocket systems on Iturup and utilize Eleron-3 drones for the purposes of Pacific defense. Thus, a complete demilitarization of the South Kurils where Russia would retain command seems unlikely. This will be one of those hurdles where vast differences hinder a peace accord that leaves both parties satisfied.

Russia and Japan have disparate views on the Kuril Islands that can only be overcome through significant concessions. A singular view of sovereignty must be acknowledged prior to any handover of territory. However, this is a primary roadblock. Neither state wants to back down from its title even under the umbrella of the 1956 Soviet-Japanese Joint Declaration as the mutual baseline for discussion. The current global political atmosphere adds yet another confounding layer to the security arrangements established in the region.

A renewed interest in finally achieving peace after 70 years of the territorial standoff is an admirable undertaking, but it would be foolish to think entitlement to the Kuril Islands could be achieved either quickly or smoothly. Russia and Japan will understandably argue in favour of a resolution that does not infringe upon their respective national security plans or demands. Each state will have its set limits where security trumps any exchange of ownership. In the end, diplomacy is fluid, and one can reticently hope for a viable outcome to a postwar problem.

(Rejeanne Lacroix is a Canadian independent researcher focusing on international security and the post-Soviet space)

(This article was originally published on The Fair Observer. Read the <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/asia_pacific/japan-russia-kuril-islands-dispute-asia-pacific-security-news-17551/">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

By Rejeanne Lacroix Last year, the 70-year-long territorial dispute between Russia and Japan over the Kuril Islands again rose to prominence. On September 12, at an economic development conference in Vladivostok, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended the surprising offer to mutually resolve the quarrel to his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

By Rejeanne Lacroix Last year, the 70-year-long territorial dispute between Russia and Japan over the Kuril Islands again rose to prominence. On September 12, at an economic development conference in Vladivostok, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended the surprising offer to mutually resolve the quarrel to his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. From this point, a flurry of diplomatic engagements, such as the November 14 meeting in Singapore and a Putin-Abe tete-a-tete on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, gained significant meaning. High-level discourse is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, with Russian and Japanese foreign ministers meeting on January 14, and special envoys focused on a peace treaty to officially put an end to World War II have been established. Much of this fresh urgency to resolve the decades-long territorial dispute presents hypothetical scenarios that a peace accord could follow. It is easy to fall into a trap that such an extended disagreement could be solved speedily and opportunely. Diplomatic efforts seeking mutually acceptable solutions dotted the 20th century, and the title to the Kuril Islands remains an elusive political dilemma. Impediments to a Russo-Japanese agreement are more palpable in the current international order, with security a key factor. Past diplomatic attempts The Southern Kurils — or Chishima Retto, known as the Northern Territories in Japan — is a small segment of Russia’s Far-Eastern Sakhalin region. Both Russia and Japan claim sovereignty over the islands as they are located in the Sea of Okhotsk between northern Hokkaido and southern Kamchatka. Nonetheless, it is important to note that Japan unequivocally claims its rights to Iturup, Habomai, Kunashir and Shikotan islands of the archipelago. In the waning days of World War II, the Soviet army captured the now-contested islands during the Kuril Landing Operation that took place between August 18 and September 1, 1945. Ensuing international efforts attempted to regulate a world order thrown into disarray by years of conflict and resolve the numerous questions over sovereignty in the postwar period. The Yalta Agreement (February 1945), the Potsdam Declaration (July 1945) and the Treaty of San Francisco (September 1951) provided elementary diplomatic resources for managing questions over the Kuril Islands, but they were vague and politically tarnished. For instance, the Japanese disagreed with the indistinct wording in its terms of surrender, signed at Potsdam, which stated that “Japanese sovereignty shall be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and such minor islands as we determine.” Further, the previous agreement in Yalta, in which it was ordered the Kuril Islands be transferred to the Soviet Union, became obsolete by the time Cold War rhetoric entrenched the Allied-Japanese peace treaty in San Francisco. On October 19, 1956, the USSR and Japan signed the Soviet-Japanese Joint Declaration. This is an important document in regard to contemporary diplomatic undertakings, as it has been offered as the basis for a resolution. Article 9 states that the Soviet Union — succeeded now by the Russian Federation — agreed to transfer the islands of Habomai and Shikotan after the conclusion of a peace treaty. Notably missing from the arrangement are the other islands of Iturup and Kunashir. As a result, it was assumed that Japan abandoned its claims to these lands, resulting in interference by the United States. Unwilling to cede an inch to the USSR, Washington leveraged that if the Japanese signed the two islands over to the Soviets, the Americans would retain Okinawa. No deal could be finalized under such a coercive arrangement. In 1960, Japan and the United States signed the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. The US adopted the role of guarantor of Japanese security and laid the foundations for continued American military presence in the Pacific. An angered Moscow reacted by rescinding any agreements previously made to transfer Habomai and Shikotan to Japanese jurisdiction. This position would stand as long as foreign military installations and forces operated on Japanese territory. The influence of the United States foreshadows the stumbling blocks to a Russo-Japanese deal today. Disparate demands Many variables that hindered a resolution to the Kuril Islands dispute remain at the centre of contemporary diplomatic hurdles. Japan demands that questions over sovereignty must be addressed prior to any discussions of land exchange. Abe firmly stated this sentiment after the offer he made in Vladivostok in September. Tokyo brings a historical geographic case, while Moscow argues that the islands were absorbed into Russian territory as part of its wartime operations and postwar agreements. Matters of sovereignty must be resolved. However, a more pressing query must be handled first: Which components of the Pacific security framework are up for negotiation in a state of geopolitical mistrust between Russia and the United States? Both countries find themselves in a situation where neither will wholly achieve its desired objectives. Abe stated that he is determined to facilitate negotiations on a peace treaty when he meets with Putin. Further, there are reports that Tokyo seeks to waive Russia’s responsibility to pay compensation over the displacement of Japanese citizens that once inhabited the islands. This is a positive and conciliatory development in solving the historic disagreement, however, it assumes that Russia would relinquish its claims to sovereignty over the islands before effective negotiations are complete. This clashes with Moscow’s long-stated assessment that Japan must accept the current arrangement, which is backed by international law. As sovereignty remains at the core of Japan’s claims, unless some great diplomatic feat is accomplished, issues that stymied resolution in the past will persist. Nevertheless, Japan must negotiate under the influence of its close relationship and security pact with the United States. Putin recently asserted that US military involvement in Japan complicates any forthcoming agreement and expressed his concerns over the strategic use of an American air defense system in Japan. Abe contends that a Kuril Islands peace treaty would have a positive overall effect on the security framework of the Asia-Pacific region, which would be most beneficial to the United States. While this sounds advantageous to the Japanese public and officials in Washington, it does little to stimulate concessions from Moscow. Russia will be steadfast in its demands that the exchanged territories be exempt from the US-Japan security treaty, and that Habomai and Shikotan are off-limits to military development. This would see a continuance of rhetoric like that in Eastern Europe, where Moscow voices its displeasure of US military installations in bordering states. As a result, Japanese concessions to Russian demands are unlikely when their guarantor of security is the United States. Mutual mistrust between Washington and Moscow under the shadow of the current geopolitical atmosphere means that Tokyo is in a difficult position to negotiate freely. Abe can speak optimistically about the security advantages in store for America. However, Russian lawmakers, such as Senator Frants Klintsevich, in turn argue in favor of preserving Russian borders and security in “broad terms.” Additionally, subsequent and separate Japanese-American discussions would be required if the two states conclusively decide to omit Habomai and Shikotan from the coverage of the security treaty. Not only is this unlikely, but it would extend the diplomatic effort needed to settle the Kuril Islands stalemate in its entirety. Russia must also negotiate carefully. Recent precedents, such as the transfer of Tarabarov Island and a part of Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island to China in 2004 demonstrate that Moscow is capable of settling decades-old land claims. It was during this timeframe that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov subsequently extended an offer to exchange small islands in the Kuril chain for a peace treaty with Japan. Nevertheless, the political climate was more optimistic then, and American influence over Asia-Pacific security was inapplicable to that situation. While Japanese public opinion strongly supports the recuperation of its perceived territory, Russian polling demonstrates a robust dissatisfaction were Moscow to relinquish sovereignty of the Kuril Islands. Residents of the Sakhalin region are markedly in disagreement with any proposed exchange of sovereignty. Since the official announcements to reopen the issue emerged, citizens have sent letters to Putin, and the local branch of the Communist Party organized a protest. Any sort of finalized Russo-Japanese peace treaty without consulting the affected population will be an additional example of the Russian Far East feeling further disconnected from Moscow. Authorities focus on the economic potential of the region and thus give adequate attention to these matters. However, it seems as though little thought is directed toward deeper disenfranchisement in the Far East if a settlement is reached. Island-scale militarisation Japan stresses that the Kuril Islands must be demilitarised if any serious proposals are to come to fruition. That is a lofty demand. Moscow’s security outlook incorporates strategic use of the isles as a part of its Pacific defence operations. In this case, Moscow follows its evident modus operandi of establishing military installations in disputed areas. While not a part of Russia proper like the Kuril Islands, Russia established military bases in South Ossetia and Abkhazia under similar pretences. Use of this tactic enhances the reach of Moscow’s security framework from the mainland and, in this case, the Pacific region. US involvement in the Pacific, as well as ongoing security concerns in the region, provides Russia with strong arguments to only accept a deal that protects its interests and security. Subsequently, it is safe to predict that Russia will stick to the claim that its sovereignty over the South Kurils is non-negotiable, as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated today, and a settlement to the dispute does not mean any territory will be exchanged. While touting Russian Arctic military capabilities, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu recently noted the continued construction of military infrastructure on the Kurils. This is part of a steady Russification of the lands and falls in step with previous Russian government announcements. For example, on February 10, 2011, then-President Dmitry Medvedev instructed that sophisticated weaponry be deployed to the offshore bases as part of an overall security plan for greater Russia. Following this, in 2016, it was announced that the Kremlin would deploy Bal and Bastion rocket systems on Iturup and utilize Eleron-3 drones for the purposes of Pacific defense. Thus, a complete demilitarization of the South Kurils where Russia would retain command seems unlikely. This will be one of those hurdles where vast differences hinder a peace accord that leaves both parties satisfied. Russia and Japan have disparate views on the Kuril Islands that can only be overcome through significant concessions. A singular view of sovereignty must be acknowledged prior to any handover of territory. However, this is a primary roadblock. Neither state wants to back down from its title even under the umbrella of the 1956 Soviet-Japanese Joint Declaration as the mutual baseline for discussion. The current global political atmosphere adds yet another confounding layer to the security arrangements established in the region. A renewed interest in finally achieving peace after 70 years of the territorial standoff is an admirable undertaking, but it would be foolish to think entitlement to the Kuril Islands could be achieved either quickly or smoothly. Russia and Japan will understandably argue in favour of a resolution that does not infringe upon their respective national security plans or demands. Each state will have its set limits where security trumps any exchange of ownership. In the end, diplomacy is fluid, and one can reticently hope for a viable outcome to a postwar problem. (Rejeanne Lacroix is a Canadian independent researcher focusing on international security and the post-Soviet space) (This article was originally published on The Fair Observer. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Are Japan and Russia ready to resolve the Kuril Islands dispute?

Russia summoned Japan's ambassador in Moscow on Wednesday to complain about comments made by the leadership in Tokyo on the bid to resolve a decades-old dispute with Moscow over a chain of islands, the Russian foreign ministry said.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is making a push towards a treaty with Russia over the islands, and is due to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin this month, but Moscow has shown no willingness to concede control over the islands.

Russia and Japan have been in dispute for seven decades over island territories captured by Soviet troops in the last days of World War-II.

Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement issued late on Wednesday it had called in Japan's envoy to complain about comments made by Japan about the need to reach an understanding with Russians living on the islands about their transfer to Japanese control.

The ministry in a statement also protested comments it said that Tokyo had made about Moscow refusing to pay compensation to Japan for "occupying" the islands.

Russia summoned Japan's ambassador in Moscow on Wednesday to complain about comments made by the leadership in Tokyo on the bid to resolve a decades-old dispute with Moscow over a chain of islands, the Russian foreign ministry said.

Russia summoned Japan's ambassador in Moscow on Wednesday to complain about comments made by the leadership in Tokyo on the bid to resolve a decades-old dispute with Moscow over a chain of islands, the Russian foreign ministry said. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is making a push towards a treaty with Russia over the islands, and is due to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin this month, but Moscow has shown no willingness to concede control over the islands. Russia and Japan have been in dispute for seven decades over island territories captured by Soviet troops in the last days of World War-II. Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement issued late on Wednesday it had called in Japan's envoy to complain about comments made by Japan about the need to reach an understanding with Russians living on the islands about their transfer to Japanese control. The ministry in a statement also protested comments it said that Tokyo had made about Moscow refusing to pay compensation to Japan for "occupying" the islands.

Russia summons Japan envoy over Tokyo's comments on disputed island

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia may relax rules for Japanese citizens to visit the islands in the Pacific that are the&nbsp;subject of a territorial dispute between Moscow and Tokyo.

Speaking at a news conference in Tokyo after meeting Japan&#39;s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Putin also said that a solution needs to be found to the territorial dispute, and he invited Abe to visit Russia.

The two leaders in their talks discussed the situation on the Korean peninsula, Putin told reporters.

(Reuters)

Following his meeting with Abe, Putin said that a solution needs to be found to the territorial dispute and invited Abe to visit Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia may relax rules for Japanese citizens to visit the islands in the Pacific that are the subject of a territorial dispute between Moscow and Tokyo. Speaking at a news conference in Tokyo after meeting Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Putin also said that a solution needs to be found to the territorial dispute, and he invited Abe to visit Russia. The two leaders in their talks discussed the situation on the Korean peninsula, Putin told reporters. (Reuters)

Russia may ease Japanese visits to disputed islands: Putin