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Japan and Eurasia by Jill Margerison. End of the Cold War –US China & Turkey …. quick to establish presence at the heart of Eurasia… Talk that Great Game of geo-politics had surfaced in Eurasia Latest aspirant to this game = ‘Japan’ ? Why and what implications?. Russia and Japan.
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Japan and Eurasiaby Jill Margerison • End of the Cold War –US China & Turkey …. quick to establish presence at the heart of Eurasia… • Talk that Great Game of geo-politics had surfaced in Eurasia • Latest aspirant to this game = ‘Japan’ ? • Why and what implications?
Russia and Japan • Japan and Russia - suspicion and misperceptions. • As early as 1635 the Tokugawa government began mapping 4 islands in the North - Etorofu Kunashiri and Shikotan and the Habomai group • Later 1904-5 Russo Japan war
No Peace • No peace treaty signed between Japan and S.U. due to territorial disputes following WWII • Cold War – Japan relied on US and West complicated discussion re. Peace settlement and island ownership • Attempts failed to solve problems
End of Cold War • Despite end to Cold War - major obstacle for the Japanese was the return of the northern territories….. • Japan reluctant to give aid package to Russia whilst outstanding issues of territories remained • Rather focused on Central Asia
Japan and Central Asia • Became part of policy strategy in late 1990’s • Interest = oil and gas opportunities • Also nation building • Geo-strategic - hedging • Central Asia rather than Russia • Despite opportunities – however many risks Environment unstable – poor infrastructure
G7=G8 • Japan finally agreed to Russia entering G7 and becoming G8 • Relations between 2 improving diplomatically still no resolution on islands • Newspaper article
Northern Territories issue • “Solving the Northern territories issue is one of the biggest policy pillars for the (Japanese) foreign ministry”
Oil in RFE • Increased interest and economic efforts to Sakhalin • Highly competitive – Mitsui and Mitsubishi also Royal Dutch and Shell • Contributing to development in relations between the two
‘Loose nukes’ • Need for Japan to work with Russia and Central Asian states on technical issues to stop environmental security problems occurring • Two cases selected: • Sea of Japan • Kazakhstan
Siberia – Japan Trade • Trading relation between Siberia and Japan • Cars White goods • Fish lumber • Japan largest trading partner for Siberia
Risks for Japan • C.A – huge risks as Siberia • Mafia • Drugs • Kidnapping concerns
Conclusions • Japan long history with Russia • Territorial disputes finally being resolved • What are the driving interests in this resolution? • Why is Japan interested in CA? • Hedging • Risks and opportunities involved