Introduction
After the World War II almost 60 years ago that led to the death of almost 50 million people it is very concerning that some countries have not yet decided to put their differences aside and form a peace treaty formally speaking. The period of WWII experienced a time when countries turned against each other engaging in bloody fights that led to many countries completely broken down with only a few countries standing tall after the war came to an end in 1945. After the end of this war several heads of states worked together and formed peace treaties to officially end the hostilities between their countries thus fostering an era of peace that has been witnessed since then. Of note however is the fact that Japan and Russia have not yet formally formed a peace treaty between them regarding the four Southern Kurile Islands that is the Kunashi, Iturup, Habomai and the Shikotan which were taken over by the then Soviet Union after the close of the war.
These four islands have been the cause of constant wrangles between these two countries that has threatened the peace between them and thus remaining a thorny political issue that has not been solved over 60 years down the line. The history of the dispute between these two countries regarding the control of these four islands dates back to the year 1855 when the two countries signed an accord that gave Japan control of the Southern Kuriles. In May 1875 another agreement was signed between these two countries that granted Russia the right over Sakhalin while surrendering 18 islands in the Kurile chain to the control of Japan. After the Russo-Japanese wars where Russia was defeated by Japan they came together to sign the Portsmouth treaty which called for the renouncement by Russia from the Southern Kuriles forever.
After the World War II the two countries would open bilateral talks in October of 1956 where the then Russian Prime Minister signed a declaration that allowed Japan to gain control of two among the disputed Islands that is the Habomai and Shikotan but would back down from this agreement at the height of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and The United States in 1960. This uneasy relationship between these two countries would continue through to the year 1991 when the then Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev expressed his desire to finally resolve the issue surrounding the four Islands of dispute. After that the Russian President Boris Yeltsin would visit Japan in 1993 and in 1998 talking about the need to find a timely solution into the disputes hinting that a treaty would be formed as early as the year 2000.
These issues continued to the year 2004 when President Vladimir Putin indicated Russia’s intention to honor the 1956 agreement but only if its obligations would be met by Japan. Japan would reply through the media that their position regarding the islands of dispute had not changed and that it considered the four islands to be historically and geographically part of the northern territories of Japan. Japan would then adopt a resolution in parliament that required the government to improve its efforts of getting back the four islands among other northern territories. It is the same year that the Japanese Premier Junichiro Koizumi visited Moscow to attend the 60th anniversary of the End of World War Two and in the process raising the contentious issue with his counterpart in Moscow.
It is paradoxical that over three generations that has passed since these conflicts began have become devoted to the impression that “occupied northern territories” of the Japanese must be returned and no government can choose to brush away this issue. The Japanese still consider the Russians to have betrayed them during the World War II since Japan did not attack Russia when Germany was almost nearing Moscow thus allowing Stalin to redeploy his troops Far East and they did not attack again in 1942 when Nazi Troops neared Volga and Caucasus areas. Despite this act of kindness by Japan, Russia attacked them in August 1945 capturing its islands and is not willing to surrender these islands 60 years down the line. It is also worth noting that Russia’s position on these disputed Islands is supported by China and South Korea. These two countries also have their own disputes with Japan on similar issues so their stand is understandable.
Conclusion
The uneasy relationships between Russia and Japan have been going on since the World War II came to a close though several efforts have been made to bring a long lasting peace between these two countries. The United States of America and other countries have tried to aid in the peace talks between these countries but so success has been found. It is very sad that almost all countries that were involved in the world war II especially Germany, China, Italy, Great Britain, Russia and The United States have all come together amongst themselves and formed an Understanding to give dialogue and peace a chance but these two countries are yet to solve these issues several decades later. However it important to note that several leaders from these two Countries have tried in the past to end these wrangles though little success has been achieved. We can only hope that in the near future a permanent solution will be found on this issue and maybe then we will say that Japan and Russia has ended the World War II.
Works Cited
“Overview of the Issue of the Northern Territories”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Japan, available online at Web <http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/russia/territory/overview.html> (Accessed on 10th December 2013).
“Japan’s Northern Territories: For A Relationship of Genuine Trust”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Japan, available online at <http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/russia/territory/pamphlet.pdf> (Accessed on 10th December 2013).
“No Solution in Sight for Russo-Japanese Territorial dispute,” IDSA Commentary, February 24, 2011, available online at < http://idsa.in/idsacomments/RussoJapaneseTerritorialDispute_ShamshaAKhan> (Accessed on 10th December 2013)
The Chosun Ilbo, “Koizumi Inspects disputed Island”, September 3, 2004 available at < http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2004/09/03/2004090361007.html> (Accessed on 10th December 2013)
“Overview of the Issue of the Northern Territories”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Japan, available online at Web <http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/russia/territory/overview.html> (Accessed on 10th December 2013).
