Could Russia and Japan Finally Settle Their Island Dispute?

Dave Majumdar

Security, Asia

Yes, Moscow and Tokyo have their own bit of island drama. 

Russia and Japan are moving towards a rapprochement after a long period of mutual antipathy. In recent days, Moscow and Tokyo have started to discuss increased cooperation in the naval arena. And, in time, there could be a settlement between the two powers over the Kuril Islands, which came under Soviet jurisdiction after the end of the Second World War, but which Japan wants returned.

“The countries are ready to enhance cooperation between defense departments on the basis of high-level agreements reached over the last year,” Russia’s chief of the general staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov said during his visit to Tokyo to meet his Japanese counterpart Adm. Katsutoshi Kawano.

The Russians and Japanese will hold more than 30 joint exercises during the coming year, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. But cooperation between Russia and Japan is not limited to just the military realm, the Kremlin might be attempting to reach a more comprehensive deal with Tokyo that could eventually see the dispute over the Kuril Islands finally resolved.

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