How long can Japan keep up its balancing act between Russia and the West?

Russia believes the deployment of these systems will undermine its interests.

Furthermore, the Russian president does not rule out a U.S. troop presence on the disputed islands if controlled by Japan.

Russia’s defense minister intends to station a new Russian army division on the disputed Kuril Islands in 2017.

The two leaders take another step towards the conclusion of a peace treaty.

In this diplomatic sparring match, there was only one winner.

The recent Russia-Japan summit could be best described as embarrassment for Abe and a major coup for Putin.

A mutually beneficial 'balance of power' based on territorial and security arrangements remains beyond reach.

Siberian energy deals are set to warm Japan-Russia ties while the peace treaty is put on ice.

Japan is hoping for a breakthrough on a long-standing territorial dispute. That's not likely to happen.

Japan denies that any talks for joint administration of the dispute island chain are underway with Russia.

Abe's embrace of Russia marks a radical shift from previous Japanese policy.

Abe is committing a lot of diplomatic (and literal) capital to Japan-Russia relations. What will he get in return?

Japan's outreach to Russia is risky, as it could end up alienating the United States.

Putin is signaling that he could be open to a compromise on the dispute, but there needs to be trust first.

The deadlock is rooted in the entrenched positions of both sides.