Wednesday, 18 May 2016

Japan courts Russia at Sochi summit (James D. J. Brown, Andrei I. Kozinets, East Asia Forum)

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe prior to their talks in Sochi, Russia, 6 May 2016. (Photo: AAP).

The two most prominent features of Japanese foreign policy are caution and the US alliance. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s decision to travel to Sochi for a summit with President Vladimir Putin on 6 May was therefore remarkable. The visit comes at a time when Russia remains under international sanctions and the United States has made it clear that it intends to maintain a policy of isolation. Indeed, in a February phone call President Obama directly urged Abe to abandon the visit. So what explains this uncharacteristically bold step? And did it pay off?

http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2016/05/18/japan-courts-russia-at-sochi-summit/

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