[Global Network Reporter Huan Wang] Japanese Foreign Minister Tarō Kōno and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov held talks in Tokyo on March 21st. Japan’s Kyodo News reported on March 22 that apart from confirming the acceleration of consultations on common economic activities in the South Kuril Islands (Japan’s four northern islands), the talks have not achieved remarkable results, showing that there are differences between Japan and Russia. What has become a huge obstacle to the return of territory is Russia’s sense of vigilance against the US-Japan alliance. Russia believes that "if the territory is handed over, according to the US-Japan security treaty, the US military will come" (the official language), and this view is deeply rooted in the Russian government. Can the Japanese government based on the US-Japan alliance attract Russia, which is opposed to the United States, to compromise? The road is not smooth.
Happy birthday to Lavrov.
Happy birthday. According to Kyodo News, the Japanese and Russian foreign ministers held a luncheon after the joint press conference at the Inakura Mansion of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo on the 21st. In order to celebrate Lavrov’s 68th birthday that day, Kono prepared strawberry cake and created a friendly atmosphere. This move reflects Kono’s hope to make progress on the territorial issue by establishing a trust relationship.
Japanese public opinion believes that Kono’s goal for this foreign ministers’ meeting is to improve the environment for the Japan-Russia summit. The summit meeting in May will be the first direct meeting between Abe and Putin, who won the fourth presidential election on the 18th of this month. Kono explained the Japanese position to Lavrov in detail, that is, Abe made a "political decision based on the overall situation and far-sightedness" (government sources) in order to trigger Putin, who consolidated his power base, and strived to develop Japan-Russia relations by solving territorial issues. Then, I sought understanding from him.
Russia is full of distrust of Japan.
Kono also tried to dispel Russia’s concerns about the strengthening of the Japan-US alliance. Kyodo News reported that Kono explained at the joint press conference that "this is a system independently used by China" for the American-made "land-based Aegis system" that Russia has tightened its nerves, stressing that it will not be used to make Russian missiles attack at the will of the US military.
However, Russia does not agree with this. Lavrov put forward at the press conference that "I hope to confirm that in the process of peace treaty negotiation, the security issue in the area around the four islands is the most important" and did not hide my distrust.
The Japanese government has no good plan.
Russia’s discussion of key common economic activities is also negative. According to Japanese media reports, before the Japanese-Russian foreign ministers’ talks, the originally planned director-level working group meeting could not be implemented due to the inconvenient schedule. This move reveals the idea that Russia is unwilling to be grasped by Japan, which is striving to realize the return of territory.
In the implementation of common economic activities, Japan demands the establishment of a "special system" that does not harm sovereignty; When Lavrov was interviewed by Kyodo News before his visit, although he left some room for signing a "special intergovernmental consensus", he also pointed out that "there is no need for supranational organs" and his attitude was cold.
The cadre of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confided his true thoughts, saying that "there is no good strategy except expecting Putin, who has strengthened cohesion in Russia, to compromise."