Asymmetry and Development of Russia-Japan Relations
... Japan’s commitment to liberal values and could prompt distrust. In April 2018, Japan joined the other G7 countries in a statement supporting Great Britain’s stance on Russia’s complicity in the poisoning in Salisbury, condemning Russia’s refusal to respond to the enquiries by the British government and calling upon Russia to “respond urgently” to the questions on “the Skripal case.” Russia’s ambassador to Japan noted that Japan’s signature on the document was regrettable. Are Russia–Japan relations at an impasse and could Shinzo Abe’s latest visit to Russia be called unproductive? Not at all. Even with all the current and emerging difficulties in the two countries’ relations, the answer to the question is hardly a “yes.” Rather, it is the inflated expectations ...