Putin to visit Japan in December

It's difficult to see much progress being made here. The Russians will not be keen to make concessions given how that will influence Chinese behaviour towards them. Bear in mind that China has undeclared territorial ambitions in the Russian Far East.

Geopolitical relations... So complicated.

It would be helpful if Japan and Russia made amends on their territorial disputes and focus more on China's breaches of power in the Pacific.

Leaders make decisions. Leaders get things done. Let's see what happens by year's end.

"The Kremlin at the time dismissed hopes of any major breakthrough..."

There won't be any breakthroughs, but Abe will be in full tough guy act for the Japanese public.

"Tokyo-Moscow relations are hamstrung by a row dating back to the end of World War II "

Uh no. No they aren't. This "row" is a symbol, a red herring. Relations between the two countries have plenty of other problems that are not going to get solved anytime soon. And if those issues are resolved the northern territories dispute will persist. Ignore the northern territories. Pay attention to the other stuff. What other stuff?

Oh. Russia wants capital for energy deals. Hey. Get in line. Japan will see you after Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Australia, Indonesia, Brunei and the US are finished negotiating. Want to move to the front of the line? You have to get past the bouncer, Uncle Sam. KThksbye!

And you know. The article cannot even get the spin right. Japan is "infuriated" by this and "angered" by this and that. What it all comes down to is that Russia thinks that putting MORE Russians on the islands and supporting them is going to bring Japan to the bargaining table. It is just the opposite. It is like trying to sell a rusty old 65 Buick for decades and then trying to sweeten the deal by adding 19,000 rusty refrigerators and yokels. Yeah. That'll work. Maybe Somalia will build a resort there too.

Anyway, welcome Putin. You old chess player, you. Enjoy the visit, think about all the missed opportunities of the last 25 years, and come again real soon.

Putin will be thinking , ok Japan just how much are you prepared to pay to get those islands back, its going to cost Tokyo a shite load of money and political compromise if they have any hope of them returned. Putin will milk Japan for all shes worth, its just depend on how much Tokyo is prepared to be milked.