According to a report by Nanda Morning Post on August 14th, analysts believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin's unprecedented visit to the Kolyma Islands (referred to as the 'Four Northern Islands' by Japan) indicates that Moscow and Beijing are taking more comprehensive joint actions to pressure Japan.
They stated that this coordinated action is aimed at addressing Tokyo's stance on a series of contentious issues, including Japan's involvement in Western sanctions against Russia, as well as Japan's position on the Taiwan issue.
On Thursday, the Russian President made a symbolic visit to the Kuriles. This visit coincided with the eve of Japan's World War II surrender anniversary this Saturday.
This is Putin's first visit to these disputed islands since assuming the presidency. In 2010, Dmitry Medvedev, then president of Russia, became the first Russian leader to visit the disputed region.
Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences expert on Russia and Central Asia issues, Li Lifan, said: "I believe this is a comprehensive and all-round effort to pressure Japan, making it feel uncomfortable."
This is also a warning to Japan, do not visit Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday, the anniversary of war remembrance.
On August 15th, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga offered flowers to the Yasukuni Shrine.
On the same day, Japan's Defense Minister Shinzo Abe paid his respects at the Yasukuni Shrine. Suzuki Shunichi, the Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, Arimura Yoshiko, the General Secretary, and Nishimura Yasuhito, the Election Policy Committee Chairman, also paid their respects at the shrine. This was the first time that senior members of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan had collectively paid their respects at the Yasukuni Shrine.
According to reports, since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, Japan has followed the United States in imposing extensive sanctions against Russia, which has deteriorated relations between Russia and Japan.
The relationship between Tokyo and Beijing also deteriorated sharply in November last year. At that time, Koike Kaiori stated that if the Chinese People’s Liberation Army attacked Taiwan, it could threaten Japan's survival and trigger a military response from Japan.
China and Russia have carried out military cruises around Japan on several occasions, which has led to protests in Tokyo. The most recent incident occurred in July this year, when Chinese and Russian troops conducted joint naval cruises in the Western Pacific, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the East China Sea. Prior to that, Chinese and Russian ships also passed through the Kuril Strait, the Tsushima Strait, and the Barents Strait—all of which are strategically important waterways surrounding the Japanese archipelago.
Reports say that under the leadership of Governor Sakie Asakawa, Japan has further deviated from the post-war pacifism. Japan has been increasing its military capabilities on the grounds of Beijing's so-called more aggressive defense stance. At the same time, Russia and China accuse Japan of having ambitions to develop nuclear weapons.
In July this year, Koizumi Jinjiro called for Japan to discuss the role of nuclear weapons in a more open manner. Currently, Japan is considering changing three key defense documents by the end of this year, which raises questions about Japan's non-nuclear policy.
Shanghai military affairs expert, former professor of Shanghai Academy of Governance and Law Ni Lexiong said: “Relying solely on China to (contain) Japan's pursuit of becoming a military superpower has limited effects. This not only poses a threat to China but also threatens Russia's interests in East Asia.”
This visit revealed strong dissatisfaction over Japan's pursuit of becoming a military superpower.
Putin's visit comes just a few months before the APEC summit in November this year in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. It is expected that senior officials from China, Russia, and Japan will attend the summit.
Li Lìfán said: “Putin’s tough stance this time should prompt the higher-level officials… to adopt more restrained approaches.” He added, "I feel that this confrontation is meant to prepare for the meeting in November."
He believes that if neither the Chinese nor the Russian leaders meet with her, “then this would be a diplomatic failure for Ms. Gao.”
