Japan and Russia Look for Common Ground

The recent Russo-Japanese warming of relations has come under pressure during the Ukrainian crisis as Japan seeks to show solidarity with the West and Russia courts Chinese economic cooperation. But neither Tokyo nor Moscow wants to miss the rare opportunity to work together now that each has something the other needs.

Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki denied that Japan would suspend negotiations with Russia over the disputed southern Kuril Islands and a peace treaty, Russia's Itar-Tass reported May 12. Previous rumors indicated that Tokyo would suspend talks temporarily amid the Ukrainian conflict, according to Kyodo News. The latest round of territorial and peace talks began in April 2013 and is part of the larger initiative between Moscow and Tokyo to improve relations for the sake of broader national security and economic interests.