Monday, November 8, 2010
The Australian quotes my comments on Japanese-Russo relations
The Australian, Australia's national daily newspaper, quoted my comments on Japanese-Russo relations. Thanks much again, The Australian! Cheers, Kosuke
Russia inflames islands dispute
Rick Wallace, Tokyo correspondent
The Australian November 02, 2010 12:00AM
JAPAN is embroiled in another territorial row after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made a provocative visit to a chain of disputed islands north of Hokkaido.
Mr Medvedev became the first leader from Russia or the former Soviet Union to set foot on any of the islands off Hokkaido, which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and Japan the Northern Territories.
The Russian leader travelled to Kunashiri Island yesterday ignoring Tokyo's warning that a visit would harm bilateral ties.
Japan, still wrestling with China over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the South China Sea, was quick to criticise the move.
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said the visit "hurts Japanese public sentiment" and summoned the Russian ambassador to the ministry to protest.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the islands were Japanese territory and the visit was "extremely deplorable".
The Russian Foreign Ministry professed bewilderment. "We don't understand the reaction of the Japanese side. The Russian position on this issue remains in force, and has not undergone any changes," a source said.
Kosuke Takahashi, Tokyo correspondent for Jane's Defence Weekly, told The Australian that Russia was seizing on the diplomatic weaknesses exposed in Japan by the Senkaku dispute.
"Russian-Sino relations are getting better and I think Russia and China know that Japanese diplomatic power is declining and they are becoming more aggressive on territorial issues," he said. He said Russia had offered to give up two of the four islands in the past, but their offer was snubbed by Tokyo.
The islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri and Shikotan as well as the Habomai islet group were seized by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II. The ensuing dispute has prevented Japan and Russia from signing a post-war peace treaty.
The residents of the islands are now all Russians, but many Japanese families who retreated to Hokkaido after the war have their ancestors' tombs on the island and some wish to return.
Russia inflames islands dispute
Rick Wallace, Tokyo correspondent
The Australian November 02, 2010 12:00AM
JAPAN is embroiled in another territorial row after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made a provocative visit to a chain of disputed islands north of Hokkaido.
Mr Medvedev became the first leader from Russia or the former Soviet Union to set foot on any of the islands off Hokkaido, which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and Japan the Northern Territories.
The Russian leader travelled to Kunashiri Island yesterday ignoring Tokyo's warning that a visit would harm bilateral ties.
Japan, still wrestling with China over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the South China Sea, was quick to criticise the move.
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said the visit "hurts Japanese public sentiment" and summoned the Russian ambassador to the ministry to protest.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the islands were Japanese territory and the visit was "extremely deplorable".
The Russian Foreign Ministry professed bewilderment. "We don't understand the reaction of the Japanese side. The Russian position on this issue remains in force, and has not undergone any changes," a source said.
Kosuke Takahashi, Tokyo correspondent for Jane's Defence Weekly, told The Australian that Russia was seizing on the diplomatic weaknesses exposed in Japan by the Senkaku dispute.
"Russian-Sino relations are getting better and I think Russia and China know that Japanese diplomatic power is declining and they are becoming more aggressive on territorial issues," he said. He said Russia had offered to give up two of the four islands in the past, but their offer was snubbed by Tokyo.
The islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri and Shikotan as well as the Habomai islet group were seized by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II. The ensuing dispute has prevented Japan and Russia from signing a post-war peace treaty.
The residents of the islands are now all Russians, but many Japanese families who retreated to Hokkaido after the war have their ancestors' tombs on the island and some wish to return.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)