RIAC and University of Tokyo Discuss Security in Northeast Asia
Short version
On September 23, 2014, Russian International Affairs Council hosted an expert meeting with participation of researchers from the University of Tokyo to cover the future of Russian-Japanese relations and the Northeast Asia politics. The Japanese team included Ryo Asano, Professor of Law Department at the Doshisha University; Yasuhiro Matsuda, Professor at the University of Tokyo; Chisako Masuo, Associate Professor at the University of Kyushu; Javan Lim, Associate Professor at the Aoyama Gakuin University; and Aki Mori, Associate Professor at the Doshisha University. The Russian side was represented by key experts of MGIMO-University, Institute for Asian and African Studies of Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Higher School of Economics.
Full version
On September 23, 2014, Russian International Affairs Council hosted an expert meeting with participation of researchers from the University of Tokyo to cover the future of Russian-Japanese relations and the Northeast Asia politics.
The Japanese team included Ryo Asano, Professor of Law Department at the Doshisha University; Yasuhiro Matsuda, Professor at the University of Tokyo; Chisako Masuo, Associate Professor at the University of Kyushu; Javan Lim, Associate Professor at the Aoyama Gakuin University; and Aki Mori, Associate Professor at the Doshisha University.
The Russian side was represented by key experts of MGIMO-University, Institute for Asian and African Studies of Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Higher School of Economics.
Opening remarks were made by RIAC Director General Andrey Kortunov, who familiarized the Japanese colleagues with RIAC activities and efforts aimed to establish a dialogue between the Russian and Japanese expert communities, having stressed the special role of Japan in the regional security system and modernization of Siberia and Russian Far East.
The key speaker Dmitry Streltsov, Head Oriental Studies Chair at MGIMO-University, focused on factors that currently shape the Russia-Japan relationship, including the Ukraine crisis, the peace treaty and balance of forces in Northeast Asia.
The participants touched upon key areas of Russian-Japanese cooperation, among them more energy supplies to Japan in the context of Russia's "Asia pivot" and the new energy policy of Shinzo Abe in the aftermath of the Fukushima tragedy. To this end, the Japanese experts underlined that Japan's national interests do not always coincide with those of other G7 countries.
The participants gave special attention to relations between Japan and China, with Chisako Matsuo expressing the team's opinion as follows: "The historical factor is still significant for the bilateral relationship. Japan is doing its best to become friendly with China and assist development of Chinese economy, but the historical memory is a real spoiler."
Much attention was attached to the significance of ASEAN for regional stability, with the Japanese experts concerned about settlement of disputes in the South China Sea and at the same time convinced about the need to obtain solutions by peaceful means. "China hardly wants a war as well," added Aki Mori.
The participants also covered the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Mie Oba, Associate Professor of the Tokyo University of Science, believes that the SCO seems an attraction for Japan as a platform for energy cooperation, so Tokyo could regard the organization as a tool for handling domestic energy problems.
In conclusion, the experts dwelled on the interests of regional powers in the Arctic Ocean. Dr. Streltsov underlined that Russia is interested in cooperation with Japan, among other things in joint Arctic research. According to Sergey Chugrov, Professor of MGIMO-University, in several decades resources will be in very short supply, which prompts two ways for relations between states, i.e. confrontation and cooperation. "I am sure the regional situation will advance in a positive manner, with no conflict emerging. However, China's interest to the Arctic will definitely grow," he said.