Japan-Russia relations

In northernmost Hokkaido, residents can easily see Russian-held islands that once belonged to Japan. Some still hold out hope for the islands’ return.

Insights from Jeffrey Hornung.

Japan has changed its approach to Russia compared to past editions of the annual report. Has Tokyo given up on a peace treaty with Moscow?

Tokyo is taking a greater role in the international effort against Russia's invasion of Ukraine because of concerns about its impact on East Asia, where China's military has grown increasingly assertive.

Japan’s unprecedented sanctions on Russia have angered the Kremlin, leading Russia to cut diplomatic ties with Tokyo.

Ukraine’s president called for Japan to ban trade with Russia in a virtual address to Japan’s parliament.

Tokyo appears to have finally realized that Putin has no intention of ever handing any of the disputed islands back to Japanese control.

Japan’s sanctions on Russia could spell the end of previous efforts to resolve the long-standing territorial dispute. 

Japan-Russia relations look set for a lull under Prime Minister Kishida. But there are good reason to continue economic cooperation in the Russian Far East.

The Kuril Islands dispute has kept Japan and Russia from ever formally ending the hostilities between them during World War II.

On paper, Japan and Russia have complementary economies. In reality, trade and investment ties have been hard to forge.