1. Japan and Eurasia by Jill Margerison End of the Cold War –US China & Turkey …. quick to establish presence at the heart of Eurasia… Talk that Great Game of geo-politics had surfaced in Eurasia Latest aspirant to this game = ‘Japan’ ? Why and what implications?

2. Russia and Japan Japan and Russia - suspicion and misperceptions. As early as 1635 the Tokugawa government began mapping 4 islands in the North - Etorofu Kunashiri and Shikotan and the Habomai group Later 1904-5 Russo Japan war

3. No Peace No peace treaty signed between Japan and S.U. due to territorial disputes following WWII Cold War – Japan relied on US and West complicated discussion re. Peace settlement and island ownership Attempts failed to solve problems

4. End of Cold War Despite end to Cold War - major obstacle for the Japanese was the return of the northern territories ….. Japan reluctant to give aid package to Russia whilst outstanding issues of territories remained Rather focused on Central Asia

5. Japan and Central Asia Became part of policy strategy in late 1990’s Interest = oil and gas opportunities Also nation building Geo-strategic - hedging Central Asia rather than Russia Despite opportunities – however many risks Environment unstable – poor infrastructure

6. G7=G8 Japan finally agreed to Russia entering G7 and becoming G8 Relations between 2 improving diplomatically still no resolution on islands Newspaper article

7. Northern Territories issue “Solving the Northern territories issue is one of the biggest policy pillars for the (Japanese) foreign ministry”

8. Oil in RFE Increased interest and economic efforts to Sakhalin Highly competitive – Mitsui and Mitsubishi also Royal Dutch and Shell Contributing to development in relations between the two

9. ‘Loose nukes’ Need for Japan to work with Russia and Central Asian states on technical issues to stop environmental security problems occurring Two cases selected: Sea of Japan Kazakhstan

10. Siberia – Japan Trade Trading relation between Siberia and Japan Cars White goods Fish lumber Japan largest trading partner for Siberia

11. Risks for Japan C.A – huge risks as Siberia Mafia Drugs Kidnapping concerns

12. Conclusions Japan long history with Russia Territorial disputes finally being resolved What are the driving interests in this resolution? Why is Japan interested in CA? Hedging Risks and opportunities involved