Photo/IllutrationBrightly colored buildings in the district known as Shana to Japanese on the island of Etorofu, which is part of the Northern Territories claimed by Japan, in September 2018 (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Russia has long called on Japan to avoid taking actions that poison the atmosphere for constructive dialogue between the two countries. But Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has made a provocative move that does little to help promote such dialogue.

In his first visit since 2015, Medvedev last week traveled to one of the four disputed islands off Hokkaido that are held by Russia but claimed by Japan as its own “Northern Territories.” The island is known as Iturup in Russian and Etorofu in Japanese. “This is our land,” Medvedev declared.

In November, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to accelerate bilateral negotiations for a peace treaty formally ending hostilities dating to World War II. The two governments have been holding talks between their respective officials in charge of the matter in line with the agreement.

It is no surprise that the Japanese government filed a formal protest against Medvedev’s actions that have poured cold water on efforts by both sides to enhance bilateral ties. Tokyo had every right to do so.

But one fact should not be overlooked. Medvedev’s fourth visit to the Northern Territories is clear sign that Moscow has no intention whatsoever of making any compromise on the issue of sovereignty with regard to the disputed islands.

The Abe administration needs to confront the grim reality and fundamentally review its current strategy for bilateral negotiations, which is based mainly on Abe’s personal ties with Putin.

During his latest visit to the Etorofu island, Medvedev left little doubt about Russia’s intention to develop these islands on its own. He expressed no expectation for the “joint economic activity” with Japan the Abe administration has promoted as a key element in bilateral efforts to conclude a peace treaty.

That is hardly surprising. Nothing substantial concerning the joint economic activity emerged from the meeting between Abe and Putin in June, except for an insignificant agreement on starting with pilot projects in the two areas of tourism and garbage disposal. The two governments have yet to map out a specific plan for large-scale bilateral economic cooperation in the islands.

One major obstacle to progress is Moscow’s adamant insistence that its domestic law should be applied to joint economic projects in the islands.

Putin has also demanded that the proposed new system to allow Japanese nationals involved in these projects to visit the islands should be applied to the entire Sakhalin Oblast.

Putin’s demand is obviously aimed at gaining Japan’s recognition that the four islands are part of the oblast. This is unacceptable for Tokyo.

In championing the “joint economic activity” initiative, Abe has stressed the significance of its possible effects. It would be a boon if Russian people felt they had grown wealthier by working with Japanese, he has said.

But this vision is nothing but a pie in the sky, at least at the moment.

About three years have passed since the two countries agreed to pursue joint economic activity in the disputed islands. Last year, the Abe administration adopted a new strategy by deciding to focus the territorial talks on the two islands of Habomai and Shikotan, at least for the time being.

But this major policy shift has done nothing but provoke a fresh wave of Russian actions designed to strengthen its position in the talks.

Abe has not talked about the reality of the negotiations at the Diet or during campaign debate for the July Upper House election.

Abe should stop trying to keep the public in the dark about the situation and start fulfilling his responsibility to explain it to them.

Despite the stalled talks, Abe plans to visit Russia next month to hold talks with Putin.

Russia is an important neighbor for Japan, and the leaders of the two countries should value any opportunity to have constructive exchanges of views and opinions.

If, however, Abe continues with his current approach to bilateral negotiations for a peace treaty despite its obvious failure, his visit to Russia would not be a meaningful effort.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 8