politics

Japan to lend to sanctioned Russian bank to push island talks: Nikkei

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These Islands belong to Japan and the Russians know this but know it but won't admit it.

-5 ( +8 / -13 )

JBIC was not available for comment.

The Japanese foreign ministry and the prime minister’s office were not available for comment.

seems article is exclusively written for special comments from JT readers only.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

That's one big 21st century version of a brown envelope, isn't it?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Russia's biggest bank take a loan from Japan? This bribe will never work, Putin is the worlds strongest leader for personal strength, he will never give anything back.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

It seems to be a raw deal one after another for Japan. I wonder what they're really getting out of this. In the meantime, Abe seems to be throwing money into the air like it's confetti.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

LOL the bribes and political concessions start flowing, Russia is going to milk Japan for all shes worth on these islands. just depends on how far Japan is willing to be Russias biatch to get them back.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

These Islands belong to Japan and the Russians know this but know it but won't admit it. No they belonged to Japan , now they belong to Russia. If Japan wants them back Russia is going to make her pay dearly for them, just depends how much Japan thinks there worth!?

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Canadianbento admits that "these Islands belong to Japan and the Russians know this but know it but won't admit it". Nope, does Canada belong to US? Let us not argue but find a way out of this dilemma

0 ( +3 / -3 )

canadianbento:

These Islands belong to Japan

Yeah, like Hokkaido belongs to the Ainus and Okinawa to the Ryukyuans.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Japan is just trying to buy friends, again. However, you can't buy Russian friends.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

LOL the bribes and political concessions start flowing, Russia is going to milk Japan for all shes worth on these islands. just depends on how far Japan is willing to be Russias biatch to get them back.

MIght talks over reason. Bear shame and humiliation and sharpen your sword. Eat dirts and dusts, save for heavier rains for now. Japan can learn more from Chinese.

Keep laughing.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Good old Japan -- trying to play both sides, thinking it's a master negotiator, when Russia is just taking the money and laughing (and not giving islands), the US and other countries Japan asked to "trust me" are asking "WTF, Japan?", and then they turn around and roll out the red carpet for the next dictator to come and play them like a fiddle.

While the world sanctions Russia for helping the war in Syria -- including shooting down the Malaysian Airlines jet -- Japan is helping Russia to do it.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

No news. Does anybody really think that by 39 mil USD you can buy these islands? It is just a small bank transaction to facilitate a busines deal - buying machinery. Good!! Japanese makers need new orders. Kudos to Abe.

@smithinjapan

the US and other countries Japan asked to "trust me" are asking "WTF, Japan?"

It's amazing how "the US and other countries" can be hypocritical. When it needs their needs, they do not hesitate to use money. The US paid Iranians at leats 400 mil. USD as ransom for its citizens, EU pays Turkey ("big bad Erdogan") billions to stop the onslaught of migrants. And now they are going to critisize Japan for 39mil loan? Seriously?

While the world sanctions Russia for helping the war in Syria -- including shooting down the Malaysian Airlines jet -- Japan is helping Russia to do it.

Not "the world", but just the US and a bunch of its satellites only. Not for Syria, but for the same "crime" Germany did in 1990 (reunification), of Crimea with the rest of Russia. And please stop repeat the same old lie about the Malaysian jet - Ukraine regime forces did it, the West just cover their crime.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Are they charging negative interest ?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

this is disgusting, are those islands really worth financing Russian actions in syria?

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Why does Japan insist on rewarding bad USSR-type behavior? Given Russia's recent pattern of conduct in Syria, Ukraine/Crimea and against the US, Japan should be getting a phone call from DC in short order saying the JBIC has been added to the list containing the names of Sberbank and other institutions. Japan can now add $4B to 4 islands that will never be returned.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

The selfish Japanese government ignores international sanctions in the deluded hope that it will get something for its bribe money. At the same time the Japanese moan and whine incessantly about China doing business with North Korea. Hypocrites.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Are you all against peace treaty to be closed between Japan and Russia or What?!

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

When diplomacy doesn't work, resort to bribery.

Just don't make the same mistake as the statue incident. Make sure they give back the islands BEFORE you pay them off!

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

DieRealityCheck: Japan and Russia are at peace. The only reason a formal peace treaty has not been concluded is Japanese intransigence. I don't care if they conclude one or not as it will make no difference to me either way.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@anotherexpat

Given Russia's recent pattern of conduct in Syria, Ukraine/Crimea and against the US, Japan should be getting a phone call from DC in short order saying the JBIC has been added

Given US recent pattern of conduct (invasions of Iraq and Libya, instigataing neonazi coup in Ukraine, support of terrorists in Syria), Japan in that case should respond. Stop buying US debt will be a good start.

@Scrote

The selfish Japanese government ignores international sanctions

Russia is not under international sanctions, it is under sanctions of the US and a bunch of its satellites. North Korea is under international (UN-approved) sanctions. See the difference?

@BertieWooster

When diplomacy doesn't work, resort to bribery

Bribe of 39 mil.? Are you serious? 3 billions to Erdogan is the bribe.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Scote

The only reason a formal peace treaty has not been concluded is Japanese intransigence

Yeah Yeah. Enough of such smith type of comment. I know you know better than just that... Japanese just intransigence.

I don't care if they conclude one or not as it will make no difference to me either way.

Sure. You don't have to as you are those just transit passengers and have no such thoughts whatsoever to raise your kids or kids' kids in Japan but still complaining unpermited dual ctizenship in Japan or how annoying Japan life is.

Sure. none of yur business

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

New info in USA ISIS does not have Missile or airplane but Russia is increasing anti missile system. In Syria. Maybe Japan likes Russia increase supposed to be anti ISIS weaponry to waste more money? Now Japan no longer pretending it is a cas short country.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Asakaze: "And now they are going to critisize Japan for 39mil loan? Seriously?"

Japan is going to give 4-billion to a bank IT is involved in sanctioning. You don't think there's anything bizarre about that? If it's part of the sanctions, why is Japan paying money? And what hostages are they rescuing, my friend? The islands aren't theirs, and they're not going to get them back for this money anyway. Japan did the same thing with Iran, since you mentioned it; asked to be an exception on companies that will have their assets frozen if they trade oil with Iran. Japan always wants to have it both ways, and on a MUCH larger scale then on the single incidents you mention of handing over money for hostages (which Japan also did, supposedly, to get journalists back -- or at least offered).

"Russia is not under international sanctions, it is under sanctions of the US and a bunch of its satellites."

Sanctions Japan agreed on despite knowing it was another nail in the coffin on the island issue, remember? They asked Putin to come over almost immediately after joining the sanctions and Putin literally scoffed. You forget pretty quickly, my friend.

And just in case you need proof that they KNOW they are doing wrong here, let's see what they had to say when asked about it: "JBIC was not available for comment." "The Japanese foreign ministry and the prime minister’s office were not available for comment."

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Yhe money will be used to update coal handler from old system. Check which maker created new system to ensure safety. You will find why Japanese bank wanted to loan to Russian bank.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

smithinjapan

If it's part of the sanctions, why is Japan paying money?

First, not "paying", but "lending". I hope you undestand the difference.

Second, the whole idea of the anti-Russian sanctions (by the US, with its track record of crimes!!) is so ridiculous, that even Japanese policymakers understand that. Several European countries (Italy, Greece etc) eager to scrap these sanctions altogether. I hope they succeed, and Japan follows them.

You don't think there's anything bizarre about that?

You know what is bizarre? It's the Western duplicity. The US slaps sanctions on Russia, demands its satellites to follow its suit, but at the same time it pays huge money for the Russian rockets - to the same company which is a major supplier to the Russian ballistic missile force. Wow, that's the real "wants to have it both ways". And after that you make a fuss about 39 mil. bank loan? Hilarious! Really.

At least you stopped to claim that these sanctions were imposed by "the world". Big improvement, my friend. Congrats, or something.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

American World dominance and influence is slipping away. As for Russia, they sold Alaska to the Yanks, so maybe they will sell the Northern Territories to Japan. After all, they have little real value to Russia.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The Islands belong to Japan (IMO) but let's face it... Russia will never ever give the islands back

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

It is easier to lend money tí another bbbank. That has a good dealll waiting.. probably Bank of Japan just figured business deal anJapanese media speculated about islands.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The US paid Iranians at leats 400 mil. USD as ransom for its citizens,

No it didn't, no matter what Trump says.

It was Iran's money frozen by the US after the 1979 revolution. The US was simply returning what belongs to Iran in the first place.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japan always want to be selectively exempted, whale hunting, Gulf war, Iran sanctions, TTP, Russian sanctions etc. Well Japan always seeks a certain set of rules or exemptions for Japan different from those of other participating countries. Maybe, it is Japan's interpretation of being a good team player.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Japan always want to be selectively exempted, whale hunting, Gulf war, Iran sanctions, TTP, Russian sanctions etc. Well Japan always seeks a certain set of rules or exemptions for Japan different from those of other participating countries. Maybe, it is Japan's interpretation of being a good team player.

That's better than staying complete lapdog of US. Go your own way Japan

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Oh boy.......Japan better be careful of repercussion from the West.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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