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Russian Relations with Japan from 2000-2010: Enduring Obstacles, Limited Opportunities

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Russian Relations with Japan from 2000-2010: Enduring Obstacles, Limited Opportunities RUSSIAN RELATIONS WITH JAPAN FROM 2000-2010: ENDURING OBSTACLES, LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES A dissertation presented by Peter William Richardson to The Department of Political Science In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the field of Political Science Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts November 2010 1 © 2010 Peter William Richardson ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2 RUSSIAN RELATIONS WITH JAPAN FROM 2000-2010: ENDURING OBSTACLES, LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES by Peter William Richardson ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Northeastern University, November 2010 3 ABSTRACT Although Russian relations with Japan experienced notable progress from 2000-2010, recent claims by the Russian government of advancement toward a “full-blown partnership” are premature and imprecise. To be certain, many aspects of the Russian-Japanese relationship remained problematic and competitive during this period. A number of factors intimate that Russian assertions regarding the scope, promise and genuine friendliness of relations were exaggerated, not least an unresolved territorial dispute over the Southern Kurile Islands, the continued absence of a World War II peace treaty and historically entrenched mutual distrust. These and other important considerations undermined the substantial expansion and diversification of Russian political, economic and military cooperation with Japan over the last decade. Interestingly though, they did not preclude entirely the development of cooperation in these three spheres. Indeed, Russian-Japanese relations flourished in a number of areas – albeit in areas of lesser significance than the territorial or peace treaty issues that did not have much bearing on the development of a “full-blown partnership”. This case-study explores the complex nature of Russia’s relationship with Japan as it evolved and existed from 2000-2010 by assessing the extensiveness of bilateral cooperation that developed in political, economic and military spheres during the last decade. This work also identifies and discusses the theoretical bases of this relationship in order to provide a more comprehensive understanding as to why it did not expand more substantively during the Putin-Medvedev era. Specifically, this study demonstrates how three major areas of international relations theory help explain the nature of Russia’s cooperative and conflictive interactions with Japan since the turn of the millennium. These three areas include the neorealist-neoliberal debate, perception and misperception in international politics, and the prisoner’s dilemma game-theoretical approach to international relations analysis. 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The support and encouragement of many people enabled the successful completion of this project. The first group of people to whom I extend my profound gratitude is my dissertation committee. I could not have asked for more supportive, accommodating, understanding and patient readers. In particular, I would like to thank my advisor, Professor Minton F. Goldman, whose personal and professional scholarly interest in Russian government, politics and foreign policy inspired my intellectual passion for, and curiosity in, Russian relations with the countries of Northeast Asia – especially Japan. My decisions to write a dissertation concerning Russian relations with Japan and pursue a career in the analysis of Russian participation in global affairs are largely attributable to Professor Goldman’s enthusiasm for the study and instruction of these same areas of interest. Professor Goldman’s seemingly boundless patience and stamina, as well as his belief in me and strong dedication to my doctoral matriculation at Northeastern, were additionally crucial factors in the completion of this project. His editorial commentary and guidance concerning the content and format of this manuscript proved equally important and helpful in this respect. I also must extend to my second and third readers – professors Suzanne P. Ogden and David E. Schmitt, respectively – my deep and sincere appreciation for their invaluable contributions to the realization of this undertaking. I am especially grateful to Professor Ogden for her continuous encouragement and assistance in this endeavor. Specifically, her suggestions regarding revisions to the substance and format of chapters 1-3 were at once informative and insightful. What is more, they were pivotal in refining the theoretical context and focus of this study’s central arguments and thusly helped facilitate the successful completion of this project. That Professor Ogden was so actively, consistently and constructively engaged in my 5 dissertation-writing process while on sabbatical in Beijing merits particularly strong attention and praise. Finally, I would like to thank Professor David E. Schmitt for agreeing to “come on board” a little later in the process than usual. Like professors Goldman and Ogden, Professor Schmitt was incredibly accommodating and supportive, most notably in the final revision-writing phases of this venture. Indeed, his commentary on the organization and presentation of this study, as well as his input concerning the bibliography and method of citation, proved especially invaluable. The second group of people to whom I should express my gratitude comprises other members of the Northeastern faculty and staff. First and foremost, I would like to thank the Chair of the Political Science Department, Professor John H. Portz. I benefited immensely from the encouragement, advice and assistance that I received from Professor Portz over the past few years. I would like to draw specific attention to his support of my extension request and his role in facilitating the College of Arts and Sciences’ approval of this proposition. Next, I would like to acknowledge the extreme helpfulness of three members of the Political Science Department staff: Lyle Ring, Brynn Thompson and Barbara Chin. Without the patience, accommodation and administrative savvy of Lyle, Brynn and Barbara, I never would have been able to navigate effectively the seemingly labyrinthine network of university course registration, extension request and dissertation completion requirements necessary to finish my degree. In respect to the latter two processes, I also would like to thank Director of Graduate Student Services Amy S. Killeen. Third, I would like to recognize the day supervisor of Patron Services at the Northeastern University Snell Library, Lois Conley, for providing me with an individual study room in the library during the 2010 summer semester – even though I had applied for it well- beyond the initial deadline. To be certain, the level of focus that I was able to attain in the 6 seclusion of this individual study room enabled me to complete a significant portion of my dissertation in only four months time. Finishing this project would have occurred far less easily in the absence of this quiet and private space. Finally, I would like to convey to the staff of Northeastern University (Graduate) Student Financial Services my profound appreciation for their assistance in my securing the requisite funding to conduct and conclude successfully my doctoral candidacy in political science. The next group of people to whom I extend my gratitude consists of my peers in the Northeastern Political Science Department. The following colleagues have provided a wealth of inspiration and friendly support since the beginning of my doctoral matriculation in fall 2003: Joseph Coelho, Emily Neal, Heather Browne, Liubomir Topaloff, Jarod Forget and Anthony Demistihas. In addition to these persons, two of my fellow students deserve special recognition and mention. The first, Jason Devine, has been not only a dear and trusted friend throughout this entire experience, but a source of profound enthusiasm, motivation and strength as well. Whether they were serious discussions regarding the substance, style and format of my manuscript or simple exchanges of comical commentary on the stressful nature of the dissertation-writing process, my conversations with Jason were always informative, enlightening, calming and rejuvenating. I cannot thank him enough for all of his encouragement throughout this undertaking. The second fellow student who merits special attention is Alison Uzdella. Alison has been a particularly remarkable source of constructive advice, “contagious” optimism and unyielding reassurance over the past two years. A seemingly impossible task in my mind at many points in this process, completing and defending my dissertation was an inevitability to Alison – she never failed to impress upon me her certainty in this matter. I will always consider Alison a very dear and close friend. I wish her the best of fortune in her own dissertation-writing 7 process. Lastly, I would like to thank Christina Braidotti, a doctoral student in the Northeastern University Law, Policy and Society Department, for her belief in my ability to finish this dissertation as well. Her kind, encouraging words and perseverance in her own program of study despite the presence of several adverse circumstances in her life inspired me greatly to complete this project. Another group of dear friends to whom I would like to express my profound gratitude includes P. Lynn Caesar, Mary San Martino and Lois Ashcroft. These women provided invaluable advice and support throughout this
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