Japan's Abe preparing to meet with Putin

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, Russia, on Friday, to strengthen economic and other cooperation between the two nations and officially agree on Putin's visit to Japan in December. 


The meeting, including a dinner, is scheduled to last three to four hours. 


It will be the 11th bilateral talk between Abe and Putin since the launch of the second Abe Cabinet. 


Abe previously met with Muneo Suzuki, a former member of House of Representatives who has close ties with Russia, on Wednesday at the Prime Minister's office. 


According to Suzuki, Abe welcomed presidential aide Yuri Ushakov revealing Putin's plan to visit Japan in December, saying, "We appreciate the Russian side making the agreement public." 


While some inside the Japanese government voiced frustration about Ushakov's announcement before an official agreement, his remark was received favorably by the prime minister. 


"(The remark) is a signal from the Russian side to show their strong determination (to visit Japan)," a senior official of the Foreign Ministry quoted Abe as saying. 


Putin's visit to Japan is likely to last two days. Abe is planning to invite Putin to a ryokan traditional inn with a hot spring in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Abe's political home turf. He aims to negotiate with the Russian president over the northern territories issue in a friendly atmosphere. 


It will be an official visit and a joint statement will be issued. 


Abe and Putin agreed in May to proceed with the settlement of the northern territories issue based on a new proposal. The prime minister presented a plan comprising eight areas of cooperation, including the development of Russia's Far Eastern region. 


During the upcoming encounter, Abe plans to strengthen the cooperative relationship based on the plan to move forward with the northern territories issue. 


However, the negotiation is expected to be difficult. 


The policy to utilize economic cooperation as a leverage has been repeatedly implemented since the 1990s, but it has not necessarily worked out as planned. 


Japan's position is that "if it is confirmed the four territories belong to Japan, then Japan will be flexible with the condition of return, such as timing and manner." 


On the other hand, Russia is seeking an ultimate settlement based on the Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration of 1956 that says that the Habomai group of islets and Shikotan Island would be handed over after concluding a peace treaty. The issue is whether Abe can make progress in the bilateral talks, which will test his diplomatic skills

Source: NNA