RIAC-Tokyo Foundation Conference: Russia and Japan in Regional Politics
Short version
On March 26-27, 2014 RIAC hosted an international conference “Russia-Japan Confidence-Building Measures: Politics, Economics and Security” with participation of experts on Russian-Japanese relations from both countries, and representatives of the Tokyo Foundation, Japanese Bank for International Cooperation, Russian Foreign Ministry and Embassy of Japan in Moscow. With the second-track format being the most appropriate option in the current international environment, the event was devoted to the advancement of Russian-Japanese relations through strengthening confidence-building measures in economic and political areas, as well as in the realm of regional security. The parties emphasized the need to overcome the differences in bilateral relations for a more beneficial and efficient cooperation in the future, as well as the importance of focusing on positive results and common interests.
Full version
On March 26-27, 2014 RIAC hosted an international conference “Russia-Japan Confidence-Building Measures: Politics, Economics and Security” with participation of experts on Russian-Japanese relations from both countries, and representatives of the Tokyo Foundation, Japanese Bank for International Cooperation, Russian Foreign Ministry and Embassy of Japan in Moscow.
With the second-track format being the most appropriate option in the current international environment, the event was devoted to the advancement of Russian-Japanese relations through strengthening confidence-building measures in economic and political areas, as well as in the realm of regional security. The parties emphasized the need to overcome the differences in bilateral relations for a more beneficial and efficient cooperation in the future, as well as the importance of focusing on positive results and common interests.
The participants paid special attention to the discussion of economic and energy cooperation, development of the Far East, building of a new security architecture in Asia-Pacific, and the impact of the Ukraine crisis on future Russian-Japanese dialogue.
Japanese experts underlined that Japanese sanctions against Russia come exclusively as a sign of solidarity with the United States and seem the mildest among the G7 members, so that Tokyo could preserve the highest possible standard of economic relations with Moscow and get involved in development of Siberia and the Far East. Both sides confirmed their interest in conducting all top and high-level visits planned for 2014, which appears a practical step for bolstering mutual trust.
The participants highlighted the absence of formal security structures in Asia-Pacific similar to the OSCE. The need is obvious but copying European formats seems improper.
Russian experts underlined the aspirations of certain East Asian powers to revise the existing regional order. Although the system hardly reflects the situation, such a revision should not undermine stability.
RIAC and Tokyo Foundation confirmed their desire to advance cooperation and expand the bilateral expert-level contacts aimed at producing both analytical papers and more discussion events.