Japan and Russia to hold talks on Kuril Islands dispute

Posted By Joshua Keating Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 3:00 PM Share

At least somebody made a diplomatic breakthrough at the U.N. this year:

"I think we can build a win-win relation between Japan and Russia by cooperating in various fields, including energy in Sakhalin and East Siberia," Hatoyama told Medvedev, according to the official.
Medvedev replied: "I agree on the idea of two wheels of one cart. It is important to move all fields forwards."
The two leaders agreed to launch a regular dialogue of their foreign ministers to discuss the dispute over the Kuril Islands, a feud that still haunts bilateral ties.

The newly elected Hatoyama favors improved relations with Russia.

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GRANT

9:12 PM ET

September 23, 2009

That is hardly surprising,

That is hardly surprising, early signals suggest that they favor ties with everyone save the U.S. It should be interesting if that becomes a long term strategy, especially as I imagine that close ties with Russia will be anything but boring.

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