RUSSIA-JAPAN | A Kuril Islands Conflict?

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, there have been growing concerns that tensions are rising between Russia and Japan over the Kuril Islands. Stretching across 1200 kilometres, or 750 miles, between Hokkaido and the Khamchatka Peninsula, the southern part of the archipelago has been a source of friction between Tokyo and Moscow since the end of the Second World War. So, could we see a conflict between Russia and Japan over the islands?

Hello and welcome! My name is James Ker-Lindsay. Here I take an informed look at International Relations with a focus on territorial conflicts, secession, independence movements and new countries. If you like what you see, please do subscribe. If you want more, including exclusive content and benefits, consider becoming a channel member. Many thanks!

Since 1945, Japan has been at odds with the Soviet Union and then Russia over the Kuril Islands. Originally divided between them in 1855 under the Treaty of Shimoda - when Japan gained Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and the Habomai Islets - the entire chain was ceded to Japan in 1875 in return for south Sakhalin Island, which was regained in 1905 after the Russo-Japanese War. Although the USSR and Japan signed a Neutrality Pact in 1941, as the war in the Far East drew ended in August 1945, Moscow invaded South Sakhalin and the entire the Kuril Islands chain. In 1956, the two countries signed a Peace Declaration. However, their dispute over the Kuriles, prevented them from signing a formal peace treaty. To this day, Russia and Japan have still not signed an agreement due to the Kuril Islands, which are called the 'Northern Territories' by Japan. But while there had been some sign of progress in recent years, especially following talks between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Russia seems to have become more hardline. This has been especially the case since the start of the war in Ukraine.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction and Titles
0:36 Peace Treaties, Ceasefires and Declarations
1:40 Japan, Russia and the Kuril Islands
2:41 Japan-Russia: Sakhalin and the Kuriles
4:17 The Russo-Japanese War and Second World War
5:26 Japan-USSR Peace Declaration and the Kuril Islands
6:38 Russia-Japan: Post-Cold War Negotiations
8:22 New Tensions over the Kuril Islands
9:50 Japan, Russia and the Kurils: Conflict or Final Peace?

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KEYWORDS

#Japan #Russia #KurilIslands
#InternationalPolitics #CurrentAffairs #InternationalRelations
#Secession #Statehood #Independence
#InternationalLaw #InternationalHistory

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[JamesKerLindsay]

This issue has been quietly bubbling away these past weeks. But will it get more serious? More to the point, is there any hope for a settlement? As ever, thoughts and comments below.

[andrewjones-productions]

As a 30+ year Japan resident, this summary was very accurate. A perspective that was not mentioned is that both Russia and Japan are essentially quibbling over a territory that is ethnically and culturally neither Japanese or Russian. It was the Ainu that occupied these islands. In fact, the large island of Hokkaido was not developed fully until the 19th century and whilst Japan claimed it as territory, the way of life, culture and language of the island was predominantly Ainu. In a vague kind of way, it is as if The United Kingdom and Ireland were quibbling over the Isle of Man whilst all the time ignoring the Manx people. In modern Japan, the Ainu are of course considered to be Japanese although there are plenty of right wing politicians who will deny their existence.

[VladVexler]

James thank you so much for covering this.

[Glebean]

Amazing recap of a very much forgotten event in history, thank you professor truly a wonderful job!

[Asamations]

An excellent video James! The map animations were really well done! I wonder if you made them yourself? 🤔 I never really understood this dispute until you explained it. I always found it interesting that the two countries never signed an official peace treaty. I think I could perhaps make this into a shorts video idea? 🤔


Enjoy your weekend!
- Asa 🙂

[anirudhparthasarathy]

Great summary - found this dispute to be arising from second world war very interesting. This invasion by Russia is reopening all of its past territorial disputes and like many firsts, a pacifist Japan taking a strong position on this, I'm seeing for the first time

I also find the phenomenon of territories that were Japanese upto second world war losing most of its Japanese inhabitants (South Sakhalin, Taiwan) to be unique; would like to read more on what happened of the Japanese who lived in South Sakhalin.

Keep up the good work and have a good weekend.

[riiitch]

So glad I found your channel James! Always answering the questions I'm often thinking about :)

Last month I jokingly said to my Japanese mate I wonder if Japan will reiterate their claim now that Russia are preoccupied, and here we are.

As you pretty much said, I can't see this escalating further, but quite a bold move by Japan nonetheless

[williamdavis]

There goes Prof James Ker-Linsday again with amazing content covering important topics most media outlets ignore.

The topic of the Kuril islands is a rough one. I don't imagine Japan will ever get those islands back unless they take them by force.

[bernardsoberg]

Given the current geopolitical situation in this geographic area, it is clear that Japan must re-arm itself inorder to provide it's own ability to defend it's strategic interests. The aggressive and expansionist nature of both Russia's and China's foreign policies makes this clear.
Japan's pacifist constitution, created out of the 2nd WW, is now outdated. It does not meet Japan's current strategic needs.
Japan must rebuild it's military capacity to defend it's strategic interests including neucliar weapons. This is sad, but is the new reality.

[WilliamMallinson]

A good, balanced and informative analysis, which puts your Cyprus ones in the deep shade!

[TheSpiritof]

I learned so much in just 11 minutes it's crazy, despite being a huge weeb I had very little knowledge about the history of this conflict but now I know, thank you for the great content as always!

[sokolmihajlovic]

Ty, very good summary of the situation. Remarkable work.

[mrspeigle]

Given Russia's current performance in the Ukraine I have extreme skepticism that the non nuclear Russian forces could do anything to the Japanese defense force other than annoy it. . Japan has a well trained disciplined modern army, and, an Air Force that has modern equipment and adequate training time and one of the best navy's In the world in terms of equipment and training discipline. Any military action on Russia's part against the Japanese would be courting disaster

[Book-gi]

100% Quality information very clear and complete and professional

[bertobertoberto]

The main issue is that Japan doesn’t have an independent foreign policy unfortunately. They’re awesome folks, but stupid politicians

[Svend]

Thank you very much, James. Your videos are an invaluable tool for learning more about international conflicts.

[Daniel-rhkh]

If tensions start to get high, it will be last necessary boost to Japan's remilitarization, the only reason it hasn't taken place at full speed is the public perception.
A belligerent Russia that just alarmed the world with the invasion of Ukraine would shock the japanese public enough for the politicians to start acting faster.

[jackpotbox]

Hi James.

Thanks for all you do on your channel. I must I admit I think I've even become addicted to it. Been watching a lot of your contents lately.

[HouseOfHam]

The "mounting pressure" from the allies for the USSR to declare war on Japan... There was no "mounting pressure" at that point. It had already been agreed upon at the Yalta conference that the USSR was to declare war on Japan within 3 months following Germany's capitulation. Stalin did not want to fight a 2-front war and it would take time for the Soviet troops to be redeployed from Europe all the way to the east of Russia. So, the timing had less to do with the US dropping nukes on Hiroshima/Nagasaki and more with logistical issues.

[inukamitsukaiify]

THX for the idea bro, we'll consider it =)