Russia's Interests in Preserving Its Sovereignty
SEA OF OKHOTSK: RUSSIA’S INTERESTS IN PRESERVING ITS SOVEREIGNTY IN SOUTH KURIL ISLANDS (2010-2015)
By Sari Capriani ID No. 016201300137
A Thesis presented to the Faculty of Humanities, International Relations Study Program President University In partial Fulfillment of the requirements for Bachelor Degree in International Relations Major in Strategic and Defense Studies
January 2017 THESIS ADVISER RECOMMENDATION LETTER
This thesis titled “SEA OF OKHOTSK: RUSSIA’S INTERESTS IN PRESERVING ITS SOVEREIGNTY IN SOUTH KURIL ISLANDS (2010- 2015)” prepared and submitted by Sari Capriani in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in International Relations in the Faculty of Humanities as been reviewed and found to have satisfied the requirements for a thesis fit to be examined. I therefore recommend this thesis for Oral Defense.
Cikarang, Indonesia, January 2017
______Drs. Teuku Rezasyah M.A., Ph.D
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PANEL OF EXAMINER APPROVAL SHEET
The Panel of Examiner declare that thesis entitled “Sea of Okhotsk: Russia’s Interests in Preserving Its Sovereignty in South Kuril Islands (2010-2015)” that was submitted by Sari Capriani majoring in International Relations from the Faculty of Humanities was assessed and approved to have passed the Oral Examinations on February 17, 2017.
Cikarang, Indonesia, February 2017
Chair of Panel Examiner
______Drs. Teuku Rezasyah M.A., Ph.D
Member of Panel Examiners
______Dr. Endi Haryono, M.Si Bustanul Arifin, BA.IR, M.A
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DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY
I declare that this thesis, titled “SEA OF OKHOTSK: RUSSIA’S INTERESTS IN PRESERVING ITS SOVEREIGNTY IN SOUTH KURIL ISLANDS (2010-2015)” is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, an original piece of work that has not been submitted, either in whole or in part, to another university to obtain a degree.
Cikarang, Indonesia, January 2017
______Sari Capriani
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ABSTRACT
Sari Capriani, 016201300137, Sea of Okhotsk: Russia’s Interests in Preserving Its Sovereignty in South Kuril Islands (2010-2015)
Advisors: Drs. Teuku Rezasyah, M.A., Ph.D, Bustanul Arifin, BA.IR, M.A
The long-lasting dispute between Russia and Japan over the sovereignty of South Kuril Islands still remains unresolved until this present day. In 2010, when Russia released their new military doctrine, the issues related to the dispute had received more spotlights in Russia and Japan relations. However, the existence of the territorial dispute between Russia and Japan do not prevent both states to maintain good relations in another aspect while attempt to find a solution to solve the issues over disputed islands. Some important events happened during the period 2010-2015 that shaped the relations between both states. The willingness of Russia to preserve its status quo over the ownership of South Kuril Islands is following the importance that offered by the islands to Russia’s maritime security. The research was done in the period of 2010-2015, using the qualitative method to assemble narrative and analysis from numerous of sources, such as news, journal, and books.
Keywords: dispute, south kuril islands, Russia, Japan,, maritime, interest
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ABSTRAK Sari Capriani, 016201300137, Sea of Okhotsk: Russia’s Interests in Preserving Its Sovereignty in South Kuril Islands Pembimbing: Drs. Teuku Rezasyah, M.A., Ph.D, Bustanul Arifin, BA.IR, M.A
Sengketa yang berkepanjangan antara Rusia dan Jepang terhadap kepemilikan pulau kuril selatan masih belum terselesaikan sampai sekarang. Pada tahun 2010, ketika Rusia menerbitan doktrin military mereka yang baru, isu tentang sengketa kepulauan kuril selatan mendapatkan lebih banyak perhatian dalam hubungan antara Rusia dan Jepang. Namun, adanya sengketa territorial antara Rusia dan Jepang tidak menghalangi kedua negara untuk menjaga hubungan baik mereka dalam aspek-aspek sementara berusaha menemukan solusi ntuk menyelesaikan isu tentang pulau yang menjadi sumber sengketa. Beberapa kejadian penting terjadi selama periode 2010-2015 yang membentuk hubungan antara kedua negara. Keinginan Rusia untuk mempertahankan status quo-nya atas kepemilikan pulau Kuril Selatan mengikuti banyaknya kepentingan yang ditawarkan untuk keamanan maritim Rusia. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada periode 2010-2015, menggunakan metode kualitatif untuk membangun narasi dan analisis dari berbagai sumber, seperti berita, jurnal, dan buku.
Kata kunci: sengketa, kepulauan kuril selatan, Rusia, Jepang, Kepentingan
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
“Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near”
(Al-Baqarah 2:214)
After almost four years experiencing the life of college student, the journey has come near its end. In this section I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everybody who always there, being a part of this tiresome yet wonderful journey.
To my beautiful mother who loves me unconditionally, my guardian angel that never get tired to encourage me, the one who knows exactly that shopping is my hobby. Your love for me is endless, thank you, mom. To a man that always believes in my dream, the one who works so hard to help me conquer the world. You are the best father and role model. To my handsome brothers, Tedi that always argues with me but I love him unconditionally. Kak Andi which soon will be the most successful person and I also love him (un)conditionally.
To my thesis adviser, Drs. Teuku Rezasyah M.A., Ph.D. who always give me his time despite his busy schedule. You do not only act as a supervisor but also being a figure that encourages me to finish this thesis as soon as possible. To my second thesis adviser, Mr. Bustanul Arifin BA.IR, MA. who always gives me fast respond every time I have difficulties in writing this thesis, without your help I would not have reached this finish line of my university. I also would like to express my special thanks to Prof A.A. Banyu Perwita whose his knowledge and presentations that he shared with me during maritime security subject has helped me a lot in finishing this thesis writing. I am happy to be one of your students.
I also would like to express my thankfulness to my beloved friends that have survived with me together in this journey. To my friends, Dwini Fernanda, A.A.I.Satyaningrat, Hillary Tanida, Yuka Devi, Christophorus Rudi and Gabriel Partogi, we have been together for a long time, but it is not yet a time to split up. Let’s us experiencing another wonderful journey together in the future.
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Lastly, to my friends from batch 2013 that have been parts of my life during this three and half years. I hope every single of you will be a wonderful person once you left our beloved university.
Cikarang, January 2017
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
THESIS ADVISER RECOMMENDATION LETTER ...... ii PANEL OF EXAMINER APPROVAL SHEET ...... iii DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY ...... iv ABSTRACT ...... v ABSTRAK ...... vi ACKNOWLEDGMENT...... vii TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... ix LIST OF FIGURES ...... xi LIST OF ABREVIATIONS ...... xii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1. Background of the Study ...... 1 1.2. Identification of Problem ...... 5 1.3. Statement of the Problem ...... 7 1.4. Research Objectives ...... 7 1.5. Significant of the Study ...... 8 1.6. Theoretical Framework ...... 8 1.6.1 Realism ...... 8 1.6.2. Maritime Security Matrix ...... 9 1.7. Literature Review ...... 14 1.8. Research Methodology ...... 18 1.8.1 Research Instrument ...... 20 1.9. Scope and Limitation of the Study ...... 20 1.10. Research Structure ...... 21 1.10.1 Chapter I Introduction ...... 21 1.10.2 Chapter II History of South Kuril Islands Dispute ...... 21 1.10.3 Chapter III Russia and Japan Relations over South Kuril Islands Dispute (2010-2015) ...... 21 1.10.4 Chapter IV Russia Motives in preserving Its Sovereignty in the South Kuril Islands...... 22 1.10.5 Chapter V Conclusion ...... 22
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CHAPTER II THE HISTORY OF SOUTH KURIL ISLANDS DISPUTE ...... 23 2.1. History of Russia and Japan Relations ...... 23 2.2. History of South Kuril Islands Dispute ...... 24 2.2. Treaty in South Kuril Islands Dispute ...... 26 2.2.1. Treaty of Commerce and Navigation (Shimoda) 1855...... 27 2.2.2. Treaty of St. Petersburg 1875 ...... 28 2.2.3. Treaty of Portsmouth 1905 ...... 29 2.2.4 Yalta Agreement 1945 ...... 30 2.2.5. San Francisco Peace Treaty 1951 ...... 31 2.2.6. Russia-Japan Joint Declaration 1956 ...... 32 2.3. Recent Condition of South Kuril Islands Dispute ...... 33 2.4. Chapter Summary ...... 35 CHAPTER III RUSSIA AND JAPAN RELATIONS OVER SOUTH KURIL ISLANDS DISPUTE (2010-2015) ...... 37 3.1 Effect of South Kuril Islands Dispute to Russia-Japan Relations ...... 37 3.1.1. Japan Standpoint toward Russia over South Kuril Islands Dispute .... 43 3.1.2 Russia Standpoint toward Japan over South Kuril Islands Dispute ..... 45 3.2. Chapter Summary ...... 46 CHAPTER IV RUSSIA’S MOTIVES IN PRESERVING ITS SOVEREIGNTY IN THE SOUTH KURIL ISLANDS (2010-2015) ...... 48 4.1. Russia’s Motives towards South Kuril Islands ...... 48 4.1.1. The Decision Making of the Russian Federation ...... 50 4.1.2. The Strategic Values of South Kuril Islands to Russia...... 52 4.2. The Importance of South Kuril Islands to Russia Maritime Security ...... 54 4.2.1. Sources of Wealth ...... 54 4.2.2. Medium for Trade and Communication ...... 56 4.2.3. Life Support System ...... 60 4.2.4. Peace and Security ...... 61 4.3 Russia Security Development in South Kuril Islands ...... 64 4.4 Chapter Summary ...... 67 CHAPTER V CONCLUSION ...... 69 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 72
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1 : Map of South Kuril Islands Figure 1.2 : Maritime Security Matrix Figure 1.3 : Maritime Security Principles Figure 4.1 : Map of Russia Far East Region Figure 4.2 : Map of Northern Sea Route Figure 4.3 : Map of Kuril Islands Chain
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LIST OF ABREVIATIONS
FSB Russian Federal Security Services
NSR Northern Sea Route
SLBM Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile
TASS Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union
UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme
USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background of the Study In the world of international relations, there are many significant issues and problems that are considered as important to be discussed, but the matter of national security has always been the priority for every state in the world. In the changing dynamics of international politics set in motion by the end of the Cold War in the early 90s, the issue of state national security has been received more attention since it is considered as an essential matter for every state. Every state has always tried to maintain the stability of their national security aspect in order to keep the balance of the state condition and achieve their national interest. However, the main reason of state to maintain the stability condition of their national security is the will to survive in the dynamic and anarchy world. In maintaining the national interest of the state, maritime security has been growing as the key aspect of security in ensuring the state survival from the traditional and non-traditional threats from another rivalry states that may intrude the security of the state and its effort to achieve state’s national interest.1 One of threat that existed in maritime security is an inter-state dispute.
The Sea of Okhotsk is the maritime territory in the Eastern Asia region. Located on the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Russian coastline, Sakhalin Island, the Japanese island of Hokkaido and the Kuril Islands, the Sea of Okhotsk is an extension of the North Pacific Ocean. It is connected with the Pacific Ocean and with the Sea of Japan by Tatar and La Perouse Strait. The straits are connecting the Sea of Okhotsk with the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean concedes the possibility of water exchange. The sea depth is generally around 821 m, within its maximum length and width are 2,463 km and 1,500 km.2 The region’s land in the
1 Bueger, Christian (2015) What is Maritime Security?. Cardiff University. 2 Aleeksev, A.V et al (2006) Global International Water Assessment Sea of Okhotsk, GIWA Regional Assessment 30. Sweden: University of Kalmar. 1
Sea of Okhotsk is dominated by mountains. Approximately 70 percent of the mountains are 1,000-2,000 m above sea level.3 Some of the Sea of Okhotsk's islands are quite huge, comprising Japan's second largest island, Hokkaido, as well as Russia's largest island, Sakhalin. The Sea of Okhotsk dispersed from the open ocean by the Chain of the Kuril Islands and the Kamchatka Peninsula.
The Chain of the Kuril Islands in the Sea of Okhotsk has known as the solitary passageway to connect Sea of Okhotsk with the Pacific Ocean. The Kuril Islands are a volcanic archipelago stretching nearly 820 miles northeast from Hokkaido to the Southern slope of Kamchatka Peninsula. The islands itself also represent an area of high volcanic and seismic activities. The number of islands in the chain approximately around fifty-six identifiable islands, as well as the number of islets and rocks. During 1875, Japan has dominated the ownership over entire of the Kuril Islands by giving up Sakhalin Island to Russian Federation.4 This condition has remained constant until the end of World War II when the Soviet Union (now Russia) conquered the islands in 1945. Currently, the entire chain is under the jurisdiction of Russian Federation, controlled by Sakhalin administration.5
Russia involvement in the Kuril Islands has been started since the 17th century when Russian Empire began to intrude and show their presence on the Kuril Islands.6 At the beginning, Russia only showed their interest towards the
Retrieved on http://www.unep.org/dewa/giwa/areas/reports/r30/giwa_regional_assessment_30.pdf. Accessed on 11th November 2016. 3 Aleeksev, A.V et al. (2006) Global International Water Assessment Sea of Okhotsk, GIWA Regional Assessment 30. Sweden: University of Kalmar. Retrieved on http://www.unep.org/dewa/giwa/areas/reports/r30/giwa_regional_assessment_30.pdf. Accessed on 11th November 2016 4 According to the treaty of 1875, the Russian Empire obtained the undisputed sovereignty of Sakhalin island in exchange for 18 Kuril islands (Shumshu, Alaid, Paramushir, Makanrushi, Onekotan, Kharimkotan, Ekarma, Shiashkotan, Mussir, Raikoke, Matua, Rastua, little islands Sredneva, Ushisir, Ketoy, Simusir, Broton, Cherpoy and Brat Chirpoyev, Urup). Retrieved from (http://www.prlib.ru/en-us/history/Pages/Item.aspx?itemid=520). Accessed on 10th November 2016. 5 Boothe, Jason. Kuril Islands Dispute: Case Study of Russian-Japanese Relations. pg 3. Retrieved from http://data.biitbook.com/Kuril-Islands-Dispute-:-Case-Study-of-Russian--- Japanese-Relations..pdf Access on 10th November 2016 6 Boothe, Jason. Kuril Islands Dispute: Case Study of Russian-Japanese Relations. pg 3. Retrieved from http://data.biitbook.com/Kuril-Islands-Dispute-:-Case-Study-of-Russian--- Japanese-Relations..pdf Access on 10th November 2016 2 ownership of Sakhalin Island. Conversely, after the end of World War II in 1945, where Japan suffered as the losing side, Russia began their occupation in the islands. Between August 18th and September 3rd, Soviet Union (now Russia) forces captured the Kuril Islands in anticipation of a possible invasion of Hokkaido.7 The occupation itself led to a territorial dispute between Russia and Japan over the ownership of four areas of Kuril Islands, the islands of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai (known as South Kuril Islands).8
In an international system with a distinct territorial order, the territory is known as one of the important elements to create a state. By having a wide area of territory, a state will gain many benefits for its government and society. Territorially circumscribed states and their leaders remain the most prominent actors.9 One of the required things that define strong state is by their ability and capability to control their own territory. 10 In international law and relations, ownership of territory is being a significant issue because sovereignty over land defines what constitutes a state. The benefits of having territory, though, are only as great as a state’s borders are clear because a state’s boundaries must be well defined for the modern state to function. The history has shown many territorial disputes between states that had happened until today. There are now more than 150 disputes under way that involve territory, mostly in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific region, but also in Europe and the Americas.11 The territorial disputes present constant challenges to the relations between involving states. The territorial disputes happened due to the presumption that territory can be valuable assets for a state in term of economy, political, and geographical. In many cases,
7 Boothe, Jason. Kuril Islands Dispute: Case Study of Russian-Japanese Relations. pg 3. Retrieved from http://data.biitbook.com/Kuril-Islands-Dispute-:-Case-Study-of-Russian--- Japanese-Relations..pdf Access on 10th November 2016 8 The Japanese names for the first two island are Etorofu (Iturup) and Kunashiri (Kunashir). I use the Russian names for the sake of consistency. 9 Goemans, Hein E. 2013. The Politics of Territorial Disputes A Geospatial Approach Applied to Africa. Retrieved from http://polisci.columbia.edu/files/polisci/content/pdf/students/Goemans,%20Hein%209-19- 13%20paper.pdf on 26th October 2016. 10 Hanlon, Querine. 2011. State Actors in 21st Century Security Environment. National Strategy Information Center, p. 1. 11 Conant, Eve. 2014. 6 of the World's Most Worrisome Disputed Territories. Retrieved from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/03/140328-disputed-territories-geography-russia- crimea/ on 26th October 2016. 3 however, these boundaries are subject to competing for international territorial claims. When it comes to territorial disputes across the globe, the list is long and ever-changing. Russia and Japan have been de facto at war since 1945 when they failed to agree on the Kuril Islands ownership.12 The territorial dispute between both states over the ownership of South Kuril Islands in the Sea of Okhotsk is known as the reason for the interruption of the peace treaty. The dispute which had arisen since 1855 keeps continues until this recent time and influences the bilateral relations between both states. They are under the authority of the Soviet Union since the end of World War II, when the Japanese Empire was expelled from southern Kuril Island. Japan demanded of returning the possession of the four islands and called them Northern Territories. The tension over the dispute increase when Dmitry Medvedev as Russian President visited the South Kuril Islands, specifically Iturup and Kunashir in September 2010. The visit has triggered protest from Japan government to Russia. His trip generated objection from the Japanese government. Japan prime minister at that time labeled Medvedev visit as a ‘regrettable’ act.13 As the result of President Medvedev visit to the Kuril Islands, The Japanese Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador in Tokyo immediately for further explanation about the situation.
Moreover, the presence of Russia in South Kuril Islands is due to Russia interest towards the strategic location of the Kuril Islands itself. Russia views the Kuril Islands as a strategic part of their Far East/Pacific Territories.14 As a chain islands that lie between Sea of Okhotsk and Pacific Ocean, the islands are believed to hold numerous resources and will be great benefits to the state who
12 Kaczynski, Vlad M. The Kuril Islands Dispute between Russia and Japan: Perspectives of Three Ocean Powers. Warsaw School of Economic: Warsaw. Retrieved from http://www.css.ethz.ch/content/dam/ethz/special-interest/gess/cis/center-for-securities- studies/pdfs/RAD-20-6-8.pdf Accessed on 23th November 2016 Ocean Powers. Warsaw School of Economics: Warsaw 13 Pacific storm: Russia-Japan tension rises over Medvedev’s visit to Kuril Islands. Retrieved from https://www.rt.com/news/kuril-islands-visit-medvedev/. Accessed on 27th October 2016. 14 Boothe, Jason. Kuril Islands Dispute: Case Study of Russian-Japanese Relations. pg 3. Retrieved from http://data.biitbook.com/Kuril-Islands-Dispute-:-Case-Study-of-Russian--- Japanese-Relations..pdf Access on 10th November 2016 4 owns it. The South Kuril Islands plays big role to Russia economic development in Asia-Pacific region. Since the Kuril Islands lies between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean, the islands become the only entrance to go through the Pacific Ocean. Yet, the dispute between Russia and Japan over the ownership of South Kuril Islands had agitated Russia control over the islands and delayed Russia maritime development plan in the islands
1.2. Identification of Problem Over the past 7 decades, the territorial dispute over the ownership of South Kuril Islands in Sea of Okhotsk still continues until recent time and represents the longest standing territorial dispute in East Asia.15 Japan and Russia are technically still at war, because the two state have not signed the peace treaty of World War II. Both Russia and Japan has been adamant in their claims of the South Kuril Islands itself, with Japan consistently attempting to negotiate with Russia regarding the right to the chain of islands, although Russia has refused and claimed that the ownership is currently rightfully belonging to Russia, due to the deal that occurred after the Word War II.
Figure 1.1. Map of South Kuril Islands16
15 Gorenburg, Dmitry. 2012. The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute. United States, CNA Strategic Studies. Harvard University. 16 Boothe, Jason. Kuril Islands Dispute: Case Study of Russian-Japanese Relations. pg 3. Retrieved from http://data.biitbook.com/Kuril-Islands-Dispute-:-Case-Study-of-Russian--- Japanese-Relations..pdf Access on 10th November 2016 5
As powerful state both states tried to avoid clash between them, and try to lower the chances of miscommunication in this situation. The negotiation about this problem has been done in many times but both sides have not satisfied yet in this result. The long term dispute between Russia and Japan has impacted the bilateral relations between both states. However, Russia insisted to maintain its presence in South Kuril Islands and refused to restore the possession of South Kuril Islands to Japan. This condition raised a question of the main reasoning for Russia to pursue the possession of the South Kuril Islands.
The South Kuril Islands are seen as an important aspect for defense planning and Russian navy as a safe access to go through the Pacific Ocean since the islands control the entrance to the Sea of Okhotsk. During the period of Vladimir Putin’s administration, Russian government commenced to embark a concerted measure to strengthen Russia’s grip on the islands. The adoption of distinct regional program to increase the economic development of South Kuril was the foremost step that been prepared by Russian government. To ensure the successful of their program, Russian government allocated around 18 billion rubles for developing numerous infrastructure projects on the islands and expected the program will be finished between 2007 and 2015. 17 Moreover, Russian government is also developing its security strategy to ensure their position in the South Kuril Islands.
The whole time in the history, the oceans were seen as a fundamental part for the economic. It is seen as the vital place for conducting the trade and fisheries is a common industry of the people. The South Kuril Islands in the Sea of Okhotsk currently holds a large number of explored and unexplored resources that could prove to be vital to the development of Russia, so it is important for Russia to maintain their ownership over the islands. The possibility of losing the islands to Japan also creates the idea of their current Exclusive Economic Zone (EZZ) to be challenged even, and that would decrease the value of their resources in the region greatly. The Kuril Islands hold a major significance due to its
17 Gorenburg, Dmitry. 2012. The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute. PONARS Eurasia. CNA Strategic Studies: Harvard University. 6 maritime resources that possesses in the Okhotsk Sea, with an extension of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which will give the rights to the major resources in the region to the occupying state. Being the occupying state of the territory, Russia is the one currently having the jurisdiction of the EEZ.
Based on UNCLOS, regarding the rights of a state towards the exploration and exploitation in a maritime territory, a state has the right to the resources measured 200 nautical miles from the shore of the territory of the state.18 Russia has the freedom to explore and exploit the resources that is under such jurisdiction, without the any forms of competition, from any state. And as before mentioned, Russia would like to keep such freedom in the area, without any challengers.
1.3. Statement of the Problem As have been explained above, the question for this thesis is stated as follow:
Question: Why did Russia wants to preserve its sovereignty in the South Kuril Islands (2010-2015)?
1.4. Research Objectives The research objectives in this research are classified based on the type of this research: descriptive research. The aims of this research are following:
To analyze the effects of the South Kuril Islands dispute for Russia and Japan relations To identify the interests of Russia to preserve its sovereignty in the South Kuril Islands.
18 According to UNCLOS about extensiveness of the EEZ states that “The exclusive economic zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.” Retrieved from http://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/part5.htm Accessed on 23th November 2016 7
1.5. Significant of the Study The chain of Kuril Islands which possess strategic position and possibility of various natural resources has attracted Russia government to devour complete domination over the entire islands in the chain. The characteristic of Kuril Islands as a passage from Sea of Okhotsk to go through the Pacific Ocean has generated Russia interest to develop their maritime security in the Islands. However, the part of Kuril Islands that being a reason over the dispute between Russia and Japan had disturbed Russia development plan over the islands. The significant study in the case of the chosen topic aims to analyze the purpose of Russia to preserve its maritime interest in the South Kuril Islands and its effect for bilateral relations between Russia and Japan in 2010-2015.
1.6. Theoretical Framework
1.6.1 Realism The first perspective to analyze this research topic would be classical realism. In International Relations, realism is one of the perspectives that believes states as the major actor in every single action related to international world and community. In realism perspective, another actor except state itself is categorized as minor actor which has less power and importance in international politics. Realism also considers states as the rational actor that will always try to pursue it interest and calculate everything by using self-advantages to achieve their state’s goal. By putting states as the main player and considering it as the rational actor, realism perspective has concerned the security of states as the main issues to deal with.
According to Morgenthau in his explanation about realism perspective, the key argument in realism is that human nature is self-centered and egoist and therefore we should focus on the way human pursue their own interest. 19 Moreover, to classical realism, because the desire to gain more power is rooted in
19 Sutch, Peter and Elias, Juanita. 2007. The Basic International Relations. Routledge: Canada. 8 flawed nature of humanity, states are continuously engaged in a struggle to increase their supremacy and capabilities. Later, Morgenthau also describes the concept of power that delivers a connection between purpose on trying to understand international politics and facts to be understood.
“The concept of interest defined as power imposes intellectual discipline upon the observer, infuses rational order into the subject matter of politics and thus make theoretical understanding of politics possible. On the side of the actor, it provides for rational discipline in action and creates that astounding continuity in foreign policy which makes American, British, or Russian appear as intelligible, rational continuum, by and large consistent within itself, regardless of the different motives, preferences and intellectual and moral qualities of successive statesmen.”20 Realism perspective also believes that state is a rational actor that always calculates the benefit in order to achieve its national interest. According to realism perspective, states will do anything that needed to gain their goals and interest. Issues in realism mostly will bring up abut defense of states, military aspect and hard power. Realism focuses in so many keywords of power, self- interest and security. As it is not opposed to the Russia’s goal to gain ownership of South Kuril Islands in order to maintain their maritime security, preserve their national interest and to maximize its presence in the islands.
1.6.2. Maritime Security Matrix The concept of maritime is very complex and it is one of the growing field of study in the study of security in International Relations. According to Christian Bueger in his journal title “What is Maritime Security” stated that maritime security, like other exhortation in international world, is a term that obtains notice to fresh encounter and gathers support for facing the issues related to security. Discussions of maritime security frequently pointed to ‘threats’ that prevail in the maritime domain. The threats itself is addressed to many condition, including maritime disputes between states. The maritime security itself related to the concept of sea power which seen sea as one of element for state security.
20 Sutch, Peter and Elias, Juanita. 2007. The Basic International Relations. Routledge: Canada. 9
In the history, the oceans were seen as a fundamental part for the economic. The ocean is commonly used a place to conduct a trade and fisheries is considered as the important industry for people. In decades, international shipping and fisheries had advanced into prominent industries. The commercial significance for ocean also had been progressively reconsidered following an economic potential of coastline resources, as well as the benefit of the coastal tourism.21 In order to define the maritime security, there are several concept that can be used, such as maritime security is can be defined as a progression to maintain the stability of international system on, over, under and from the sea (Ed Tummers, 1999) and another definition such as maritime security is considered as the mixture of both preventive and responsive processes to ensure the security of maritime domain against any risks and international unlawful acts from other actors (United Nations). Under the study of Maritime security, there are a few underlining concepts of how a maritime security is important for the state, and the concept outlines the significance of the maritime security into four aspects that known as Maritime Security Matrix. Maritime security matrix itself explains the relations of four concerns of maritime security. 22 Among them are Marine Environment, Economic Development, National Security, and Human Security. The concerns of the maritime security represent the key significance of why the states should uphold the security issues in the maritime territory.
Discussion related with the maritime security frequently related with the threats that faced by a country through their sea. In the current world, they refer to some of non-military threats such as cyber-attack, global terrorism, illegal fishing, and spread of weapon and mass destruction, asylum seeker, and piracy.23
21 Baldwin, David A. 1997. “The Concept of Security.” Review of International Studies 23 (1): 5 –26 22 Bueger, Christian. 2015. What is Maritime Security?. Cardiff University. 23 Rahman, Chris. 2009. Concept of Maritime Security. Retrieved from http://www.victoria.ac.nz/hppi/centres/strategic-studies/documents/Concepts-of-Maritime- Security-DP07-09.pdf on October 26 2016 10
Figure 1.2. Maritime Security Matrix24
Figure 1.2, shows us a maritime security matrix that aims to protrude the relations between the concepts of maritime environment, economic development, national security and human security with the maritime security as the center of the matrix. The matrix aims to analyze the relations and importance that created by engagement with different actors between maritime security and another concept surround it. As seen in the matrix, maritime security able to plaster all the issues related. However, the importance of the issues itself depends on the interest of the state. For some states, the important issues might be related to their state’s economic dimension, while for another state, it can be the issue of their national security or marine environment that is considered as important. On the maritime security matrix, the maritime security is commonly close with the threats that threatening the country, the maritime security matrix shows that the different threats that come to the a state will make a different action that need to be prepare
24 Bueger, Christian. 2015. What is Maritime Security?. Cardiff University. 11 by the state in order to prevent that.25. The maritime security matrix shows that there are a lot of threats that happened through the sea, for example the national security threats which also included of arms proliferation, inter-state disputes and terrorist act determine the national security of a state, those threats will make a maritime security redefined as the needed of a state in order to counter the threat that come.26
If the precise phrasing differs across agencies, the 2008 UN Secretary General’s Report on Oceans and the Law of the Sea provides an outline of the threats commonly included (UN 2008, 18-33). The report differentiates between seven.27 1. Piracy and armed robbery 2. Terrorist acts, 3. The illicit trafficking in arms and weapons of mass destruction, 4. The illicit trafficking in narcotics, 5. Smuggling and trafficking of persons by sea, 6. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and 7. Intentional and unlawful damage to the marine environment. Moreover, to explain the matrix in simple ways, the writer provide a simple matrix that explain about four principles of maritime security.
25 Bueger, Christian. 2015. What is Maritime Security. Wales, UK. Cardiff University 26 Baldwin, David A. 1997. “The Concept of Security.” Review of International Studies 23 (1): 5 –26 27 Martin, Mary, and Taylor Owen. 2010. “The Second Generation of Human Security: Lessons from the UN and EU Experience.” International Affairs 86 (1): 211–224 12
Figure 1.3. Principle of Maritime Security28
Under the study of Maritime security itself, there are a few underlining principles of how a maritime security is important for the state, and the principles outlines the significance of the maritime security into four, which are: Source of Wealth, Medium for Trade and Communication, Life Support System and Peace and Security.
Maritime security poses its principles on the significance of the security of the maritime territory itself towards the security or survival of the state as a whole. Under sources of wealth, this principle lays out of the possession of the significant resources that would supply the state with adequate resources to grow, or even merely to survive. To explain further, this principle undermines the thought that states have their significant importance to secure the resources that will have their benefit for their own. Then, the medium for trade and communication serves as the principle that identifies the significance of having the access for trade and communication for the sake of security and development of the state. The access to maritime routes is a major advantage to be gained by
28 Perwita, A.A. Banyu. (2017). Personal Interview. 13 any state that has their coastline; this allows states to conduct the trade routes with more options, and reducing the costs to conduct trade.
Life support system principle talks of the concept significance of human sustainability of maritime security. The significance of the life support system is valued highly for the people who lives on the territory, and those people who gains income by the resources that is in the maritime territory. Last but not least on the principle of maritime security, the importance of peace and security of the maritime territory. Under the realism perspective, the concept of security is vital to be considered to by the state in regards of the analysis. The condition of peace is believed to be the condition that states would strive upon, and the notion of security itself does bring the idea of maintaining the survival of the state in discussion. The concept of security itself takes the vital form in territorial integrity of the state, meaning that the state is responsible for maintaining and keeping the peace and security of their own territories, as sovereign states that is acknowledged de facto and de jure.
Furthermore, by using the theory of maritime security, this thesis will try to analyze the motives of Russia in preserving its interest in disputed islands of South Kuril and why the control and authority over South Kuril Islands is important for the Russian government.
1.7. Literature Review
In regards of this research, the author has read a book and articles to get a deeper understanding about maritime security, South Kuril Islands Dispute and Russia-Japan bilateral relations. Here are some important books and article on the issue.
14 a. Geoffrey Till (2004) Sea Power: A Guide for the Twenty-First Century. Frank Cass Publishers.
This book divided into eleven chapters. However, the writer mostly focused on the significant of first chapter title “The Sea and Sea Power” which help to give better understanding about the importance of maritime security as vital aspect for state security. In this chapter, the author started by explaining the international relations both focus on cooperation and conflict which related each other. The author also stated that a spectrum of varying relationship ranging from pure cooperation at one end to pure conflict at the other. It continued with the chapter of defining sea power where the author explained about the several important aspect of gaining sea power, such as the access to resource since sea is known as vital resource of living for mankind. Additionally, sea is also seen as the medium of transportation and exchanges which help the growth state economy. As Mahan ever stated “Control of the sea by maritime commerce and naval supremacy means predominant influence…[and] is the chief among the merely material elements in the power and prosperity of nations”29
In this chapter, the author also gives brief elaboration about the significant values of sea power for Russia. The author concludes that the demanding but essentially protective function that sea power usually have limits their capacity to impose their will on others. Being maritime brings vulnerability as well as opportunities. It is considered as opportunities as the sea provide benefits for a state in many aspects, such as economic. However, by owning the sea territory, a state also has to be prepared for any possible threats that might occurs and threaten their national security, since the sea territory somehow vulnerable to many kind of threats, such as piracy and terrorism. The developed naval forces that had no protective function to distract them and could be wholly devoted to offensive campaign of sea denial. The writer find this part is helpful in
29 Till, Geoffrey.(2004) Sea Power: A Guide for the Twenty-First Century. Frank Cass Publishers. Retrieved from http://www.worldcat.org/title/seapower-a-guide-for-the-twenty-first- century/oclc/52509591 Accessed on 23th November 2016. 15 understanding the case that will be discussed in this research and it also give additional knowledge to help the analyzing process of the chosen case.
b. Jason Boothe (2011). Kuril Islands Dispute: Case Study of Russian-Japanese Relations.
A journal released online which tells the Kuril Islands Dispute focused on Russian-Japanese relations case. 30 This journal divided into five chapters. The first one explained about Geography of Kuril Islands. The second one elaborated about the early history and relations dispute between Russian-Japanese. The third one elaborated about 20th century conflict. The last one is about the Russian and Japanese view related to the conflict in present day. The last one is the conclusion about the disputes.
The author stated that the long-lasting dispute between Russian-Japanese about the ownership of Kuril Islands had given significant impact to both states bilateral relations. Boothe argues that the dispute which started in 1855 has been the reason of Russia and Japan to avoid the signing of Peace Treaty. In his journal, the author also mentioned the overview of the significant value of Kuril Islands itself to Russia maritime security. However due to the dispute with Japan, Russia has lack of control toward the chain of Kuril Islands. In the end of the journal, the author concludes about Russia that kept trying to preserve its authority in the islands and has zero concern in transferring the South Kuril Islands to Japanese government, while in another hand Japanese government also appears to hold less interest in having the islands returned. The only concern that made Japan did not give up on the ownership of South Kuril Islands is the development of Russia’s new military infrastructure on their disputed islands which may be considered as a threat for Japan in the future.
30Boothe, Jason. Kuril Islands Dispute: Case Study of Russian-Japanese Relations. Retrieved from http://data.biitbook.com/Kuril-Islands-Dispute-:-Case-Study-of-Russian---Japanese-Relations..pdf Access on 10th November 2016 16
With the journal, the author obtained a bright spot on the Kuril Islands Dispute on the case study of Russian-Japanese relations by giving a clear elaboration of the history of dispute and the chronology until this current day. Moreover, by reading this journal, the writer has gained further insight related to the history of Kuril Islands Dispute and its impact to involving states.
c. Gregory Clark (2005) Japan-Russia Dispute Over Northern Territories Highlights Flawed Diplomacy
The article that released by The Asia-Pacific Journal described Japan- Russia relation over South Kuril Islands that started with Japan’s 1951 San Francisco Treaty with the Alliance at the end of World War II which brought up the issue of South Kuril Islands dispute between Japan-Russia. The article stated that the dispute arise due to the ambiguity of article 2 of the treaty which stated that Japan would renounce all rights, title and claim to the Kuril Islands chain and southern Sakhalin to Russia. However, the islands of Kunashir, Iturup, Shikotan and Habomai were considered as part of Hokkaido Islands that belonges to Japan.
The author explains the reason over Japan’s decision to reject Russia’s offer to return the Islands of Habomai and Shikotan (islands at the southern end of the Kuril archipelago). It stated that the influence from United States had made Japan refused the offer from Russian Government to return the islands of Habomai and Shikotan and insisted Russia to return all four islands to Japan since the islands were part of Hokkaido Islands. With the article, the authors also explains Russia’s view over South Kuril Islands. Russian government rejected Japan’s demand over the returning of all part of South Kuril Islands and stated that Kunashir and Iturup were included as part of Kuril Islands following the Yalta Agreement in 1945. With this article, the author has gained more knowledge about the early cause of South Kuril Islands dispute. The article also help the author in understanding Russia and Japan point of view towards the South Kuril Islands dispute.
17 d. Dmitry Gorenburg (2012) The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute
The article by Dmitry Gorenburg elaborated the history of South Kuril Islands dispute between Russia and Japan. The article was divided in to four parts. The first part of article gives a brief insight about the South Kuril Islands Dispute and Russia-Japan relations before the dispute arise. The second and third part explained about Japan and Russia position over the dispute of South Kuril Islands. In this part, the author explained about Japan unwillingness to compromise over the issue of South Kuril Islands dispute with Russia and insisted their claim over the ownership of the Islands itself.
However, in the other hand, Japan also tried to enhance their relations with Russia in order to prevent China domination in East Asia. Moreover it also explained that Russia has no willingness to return the Islands to Japan as the Islands considered important for Russian government. As same as Japanese government, Russia also tried to maintain their relationship with Japan and developed their bilateral relations due to Russia’s concern over the rapid increase in Chinese economic and political power that could dominate the East Asia.
Finally, based on the literature reviews above, this research will be different than the researches that had been done before, because my research will be more focused on Russia’s motives in preserving its maritime security in South Kuril Islands. Furthermore, my research will try to analyze the factors that influence Russia to preserve its interest in the South Kuril Islands, analyze Russia strategy in preserving its interest toward South Kuril Islands, and the effects of the Russia maritime development in South Kuril Islands for bilateral relations between Russia and Japan.
1.8. Research Methodology
This research is designed with Qualitative Research method because it is a naturalistic, interpretative approach concerned with understanding the meanings of certain observed phenomena or actions. Qualitative research method is a type
18 of scientific research which in general consists of an investigation that systematically uses a predefined set of procedures to answer the question. This method examines, analyzes and interprets observation for the purpose of discovering underlying meanings and patterns of relationship in a manner that does not involve mathematical models. Qualitative research also provides explanation of reasons and associations between social variables. Additionally, qualitative research method is used in obtaining specific information about the values, opinions, behaviors, and social context of particular issues.
Furthermore, the research will also be analyzed by using a descriptive research method.31 The method is focusing on fact finding inquiry. The methods are chosen as for the main objectives of this research would represent the accurate of the characteristic of a particular situation.
“Descriptive research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present. In social science and business research we quite often use Research Methodology: An Introduction 3 the term Ex post facto research for descriptive research studies. The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening. Most ex post facto research projects are used for descriptive studies in which the researcher seeks to measure such items as, for example, frequency of shopping, preferences of people, or similar data. Ex post facto studies also include attempts by researchers to discover causes even when they cannot control the variables. The methods of research utilized in descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds, including comparative and correlational methods. In analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information already available and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.”(Kothari, 2004) In order to gain significant data, information, and knowledge, the writer will use the literature reports, assessments, publications, journals and books. The data and information that possess appropriate and significant impacts will be gathered to be selected for further analyses to support the research. The data
31 Kothari, C.R. 2004. Research Methodology: method and Techniques (2nd Revised Edition). New Delhi: New Age of International Ltd. Pp.2-3.
19 selected will be filtered and chosen for the specific theories in order to support the argument used in the research and provide the best explanation for the analytical thinking process.
1.8.1 Research Instrument
Internet – The internet is a tool for the writer to find official websites, documents, or any sources that are provided through cyberspace.
Book – There are several books that been used by the writer in order to get better understanding about the chosen topic.
Academic Journal/Article – The writer is using article/journal as one of source of data since there are lots of researchers that have analyzed the same case. Therefore, the journals are helping the writer to understand about the case.
1.9. Scope and Limitation of the Study Realizing Russia pretension in preserving their maritime interest in dispute islands with Japan, this research would be limited to the factor that influence Russia to preserve their interest in South Kuril Islands, especially maritime interest. In addition this research will also analyze Russia strategy in defending their maritime interest in South Kuril Islands and the effect of the Russia development, especially defense development in South Kuril Islands to the relations between Russia and Japan. As mentioned before, the actors outside of Russia would be Japan as another claimer to the ownership of South Kuril Islands. However, the Japan involvement will also be explained in order to see the form of Japanese reaction towards this issue for the significance of the study. To remove any confusion, the timeframe of this research will be from 2010-2015 which as the beginning of Russia development in South Kuril Islands.
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1.10. Research Structure
1.10.1 Chapter I Introduction
This chapter will talk more about the foundation of the topic and problems which includes of the background of the study, problems identification, research question, significance of the study, theoretical framework which used to analyze the problems, scope and limitation of the study and also thesis structure. As the fundamental of the thesis, the first chapter will focus on explain the way of thinking how the problems exist and solved on that time frame.
1.10.2 Chapter II History of South Kuril Islands Dispute
In this chapter, the writer would like to elaborate the history of the South Kuril Islands dispute between Russia and Japan. This chapter also will explain the recent condition of the dispute of South Kuril Islands. The outcome of this chapter will be more on the history of the South Kuril Islands Dispute itself. The object of the research will be but not limited to The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute journal.
1.10.3 Chapter III Russia and Japan Relations over South Kuril Islands Dispute (2010-2015)
In this chapter, the writer will elaborate the effect of South Kuril Islands Dispute to the relations between Russia and Japan in 2010-2015 by seeing the actors who involve and their interest toward South Kuril Islands. The outcome of this chapter will be the relations between Russia and Japan after the dispute.
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1.10.4 Chapter IV Russia Motives in preserving Its Sovereignty in the South Kuril Islands
This chapter served as heart of the research where the whole research will be served in this chapter in connecting the independent and dependent variable especially about the relation between Russia’s interests and the significant values of South Kuril Islands to Russia. The outcome of this chapter would like to analyze and answer Russia motives in preserving its interests in the South Kuril Islands. Therefore to answer that question, the analysis of the official document will be more on this chapter. The object of the research will be but not limited to United Nations Environment Program assessment towards Sea of Okhotsk and Russia’s Pacific Future journal.
1.10.5 Chapter V Conclusion
The conclusion of this thesis will be written in this chapter which can be used to the civil society to enrich the view of connection between Russia’s motives and significant values of South Kuril Islands to Russia.
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CHAPTER II THE HISTORY OF SOUTH KURIL ISLANDS DISPUTE
2.1. History of Russia and Japan Relations
In previous chapter, it has been explained that Russia and Japan officially started their diplomatic relations in 1855 after both states signed the Treaty of Shimoda. From the early 19th century, Russian Empire was in searching of new market to impose hegemony over much of Asia. Their relation with Japan was considered as important due to Japan strategic location in the Pacific Ocean in the midst of a large and untouched economic potential.32 The relations between both states gradually shift to hostility when in 1861, Soviet Union tried to conquer the Tsushima Island from Japan in order to establish a port.33 However, the attempt failed due to the political pressure from western powers at that time. Their relations become worse over the ambiguity that created by Shimoda treaty which involved ownership of the islands in the southern part of Kuril chain in the Sea of Okhotsk. Furthermore, during the end of first Sino –Japan War in 1895, Russia decided to collaborate with as consideration that Japan has defeated China during the war and in regards of Russia and Japan good relations for the past few years after the signing of St Petersburg treaty between both states.34
After the breakup of Soviet Union in 1991, the country is divided into 15 countries, included Russia as their successor. On January 27th, 1992, Japanese government officially recognized Russian Federation as the successor-state of USSR. The relationship between both states has developed exponentially since
32 OMICS International. Empire of Japan-Russian Empire Relations. Retrieved from http://research.omicsgroup.org/index.php/Empire_of_Japan%E2%80%93Russian_Empire_relatio ns Accessed on 11th January 2017 33 OMICS International. Empire of Japan-Russian Empire Relations. Retrieved from http://research.omicsgroup.org/index.php/Empire_of_Japan%E2%80%93Russian_Empire_relatio ns Accessed on 11th January 2017 34 OMICS International. Empire of Japan-Russian Empire Relations. Retrieved from http://research.omicsgroup.org/index.php/Empire_of_Japan%E2%80%93Russian_Empire_relatio ns Accessed on 11th January 2017 23 the recognition by Japan to Russia as USSR successor. Bilateral relations between Russia and Japan have rapidly developed. Both states have discussed to increase their cooperation, especially in the energy of production aspect, such as nuclear energy and other areas. Due to the increase of bilateral relations between both states, Russia and Japan have signed six intergovernmental agreements, including agreements on nuclear energy, legal assistance in criminal cases, customs cooperation and other areas.35 Furthermore, regional relations between Russia and Japan are moving to better situation as well. Russia and Japan regularly coordinate the establishment of The Russian-Japan Forum by the Institute of Contemporary Development and Japan’s International Interchanges Fund.
Moreover, the issues related to South Kuril Islands dispute also had been discussed few times between both side representatives. Some progress related to the South Kuril Islands dispute had been made, such as the establishment of mutual agreement between both states to allow their citizen to travel to disputed islands. Nowadays, Japanese citizens has been permitted to visit the South Kuril Islands due to the visa free travel procedure between both states that has been implemented as following Russia and Japan agreement in 1986 that allowing mutual visits to Japanese and Russian tombs in the former lands area of the USSR and Japan.
2.2. History of South Kuril Islands Dispute In the list of Russia territorial disputes with another state, there is one dispute that has been around and has not been resolved for more than seven decades.36 Yet, even until these recent day, both Russia and Japan still not able to settle the dispute that known as South Kuril Islands Dispute. The South Kuril Islands dispute between Russia and Japan is a claim towards the ownership of islands in the Sea of Okhotsk and part of the chain of Kuril Islands. It has
35 The Embassy of Russian Federation to Japan. Russian-Japanese Relations. Retrieved from http://www.russia-emb.jp/english/embassy/relations.html Accessed on 11th January 2017. 36 Gorenburg, Dmitry. 2012. The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute. PONARS Eurasia. CNA Strategic Studies: Harvard University. 24 influenced Russia and Japan relationship since the end of the World War II. The South Kuril Islands dispute itself had been last for decades. However, the origin of the dispute itself occurred early before the World War II started in 1945.37
World War II might have ended more than seventy years ago, however, there are two states that unable to sign peace treaty and still remain in war. The two neighbors’ states, Japan and Russia are technically still at war until this recent day since they both failed to sign peace treaty due to the tension over the territorial dispute.38 The core reason that prevented the signing of peace treaty between Japan and Russia is a chain of islands in Sea of Okhotsk that lie between Russia's Sakhalin Island and Hokkaido Japan. The dispute is known as South Kuril Islands Dispute is pertaining to the ownership of the four islands in southern part chain of Kuril Islands namely the islands of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai.39
The roots of the South Kuril Islands dispute started in 1855 during the first official encounter between Russia and Japanese government. The establishment of Shimoda Treaty which marked the official border between Russia and Japan was known as the early cause of the dispute.40 Since then, the South Kuril Islands Dispute between Japan and Russia is well-known as one of the longest standing territorial disputes in East Asia region.41 The core problem of the South Kuril Islands dispute itself arises when Russia (at that time known as Soviet Union before it split and divided into 15 states including Russia as the successor in 1991) occupied the islands after Japan was defeated in World War II. The Russian
37 Boothe, Jason. Kuril Islands Dispute: Case Study of Russian-Japanese Relations. pg 3. Retrieved from http://data.biitbook.com/Kuril-Islands-Dispute-:-Case-Study-of-Russian--- Japanese-Relations..pdf Access on 10th November 2016 38 Holcombe, Tom. (2016, February 24). Ending a 60 Years Stalemate: Japan’s Push to Get a Peace Treaty with Russia. The National Interest. Retrieved from http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/ending-60-year-stalemate-japans-push-get-peace-treaty- russia-15304 Accessed on 4th December 2016. 39 Gregory, Clark. 2005. Japan-Russia Dispute over Northern Territories Highlights Flawed Diplomacy. The Asia-Pacific Journal. Retrieved from http://apjjf.org/-Gregory- Clark/2018/article.html. Accessed on 4th December 2016 40 Boothe, Jason. Kuril Islands Dispute: Case Study of Russian-Japanese Relations. pg 3. Retrieved from http://data.biitbook.com/Kuril-Islands-Dispute-:-Case-Study-of-Russian--- Japanese-Relations..pdf Access on 10th November 2016 41 Gorenburg, Dmitry. 2012. The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute. CNA Strategic Studies: Harvard University. 25 invasion towards the islands was as the result of Yalta Agreement between Russia and Western alliance. 42 However, Japan rejected to recognize the Yalta Agreement and insist their ownership towards the South Kuril Islands.43 Since then, the ownership of South Kuril Islands in Sea of Okhotsk became an issue for Japan and Russia due to the ambiguity on both side that left behind by the Yalta Agreement and Treaty of San Francisco, concerning the area of South Kuril Islands, known as Kunashir, Iturup, Shikotan and Habomai Islands.
According to Japanese Government, South Kuril Island is part of their historical inheritance as a result to the Treaty of Commerce, Navigation and Delimitation.44 However, Russia believed that the islands are belonging to them as a result of Yalta Agreement. However, the root of the early dispute itself can be tracked since 1855 during Russia and Japan first official diplomatic establishment even before the beginning of World War II in 1945. Recently, the islands are under the authority of Russia since the end of World War II, when the Japanese Empire was expelled from southern part Sakhalin Island. Then, until this recent day Japan still claims ownership of the islands that they called as Northern Territories.45 In order to give an extensive elaboration, further explanation about history of South Kuril Islands Dispute will be explain thoroughly later in the treaties that were created during the early of dispute.
2.2. Treaty in South Kuril Islands Dispute During the decades of the South Kuril Islands dispute between Russia and Japan, there are treaties that had been created in order to resolve the long lasting territorial dispute among both countries. The early treaty was created in 1855 and
42 Retrieved from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/portsmouth-treaty Accessed on 10th January 2017 43 Boothe, Jason. Kuril Islands Dispute: Case Study of Russian-Japanese Relations. pg 3. Retrieved from http://data.biitbook.com/Kuril-Islands-Dispute-:-Case-Study-of-Russian--- Japanese-Relations..pdf Access on 10th November 2016
44 Retrieved from http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/russia/territory/ Accessed on 4th December 2016 45 In Russia, the islands is known as South Kurile Islands while Japan government recognizes them as Northern Territories. 26 known as the first official documents between Russia and Japan. However, it also been the roots of South Kuril Islands dispute due to the ambiguity over the borders and ownership of Kuril Islands. By the time, another treaties was created to settle the dispute, yet it could not last long. According to the record, there are six treaties that had been created between Russia and Japan since 1855 that related to the South Kuril Islands Dispute.
2.2.1. Treaty of Commerce and Navigation (Shimoda) 1855 Japan and Russia started their diplomatic relations in 1855 by signing the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation or mostly well-known as the Treaty of Shimoda.46 The Treaty of Shimoda itself has officially established the beginning of Japan and Russia diplomatic relations and also defined the official border between both states. The second article of Treaty of Shimoda explained about the official border between these neighbors countries. According to article 2 of the Treaty of Shimoda the island of Iturup and Uruppu will be an official border between both states. Furthermore, the Treaty of Shimoda manages to assign the possession of Northern Kuril Islands to Russia, while Japan received the four southern Islands.47
However, The Treaty of Shimoda did not define the clear boundaries regarding to the Sakhalin Islands issues that has disturbed Japan and Russia relations at that time. 48 This problem led to conflicts between Russian and Japanese settlers. To resolve the situation, the Japanese government sent Admiral Enomoto Buyo49 as ambassador to St. Petersburg, to seek a division of the island or to cede Japan claims in return for territory equal in area and define the
46 Palko, Teja. 2015. Resolving Territorial Disputes in the Far East - Kuril Islands. Modern Diplomacy. Retrieved from http://moderndiplomacy.eu. Accessed on 4th December 2016 47 Gorenburg, Dmitry. 2012. The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute. PONARS Eurasia. CNA Strategic Studies: Harvard University. 48 Boothe, Jason. Kuril Islands Dispute: Case Study of Russian-Japanese Relations. pg 3. Retrieved from http://data.biitbook.com/Kuril-Islands-Dispute-:-Case-Study-of-Russian--- Japanese-Relations..pdf Access on 10th November 2016 49 Also known as Enomoto Takeaki 27 boundaries of Sakhalin exactly.50 Soon after, the both states signed another treaty named Treaty of St. Petersburg.
“The border between Japan and Russia will pass between the islands of Etorofu and Uruppu. The whole island of Etorofu belongs to Japan and the whole island of Uruppu, and the Kurile Islands to the north of the island of Uruppu constitute possessions of Russia. As regards the island of Karafuto (Sakhalin), it remains unpartitioned between Japan and Russia, as has been the case up to this time.”51
2.2.2. Treaty of St. Petersburg 1875 Treaty of St. Petersburg or was signed on May 7th, 1875 between Russia and Japan as a result of the previous Treaty of Shimoda that left the Sakhalin islands without well border.52 The ambiguity over the Sakhalin Island which left without defined border had created incidents for both countries. In order to reduce the tension between both countries, after years of negotiation, both Russia and Japan agreed to sign a Treaty of St. Petersburg or also known as the treaty on the exchange of territories.53 According to the treaty of St. Petersburg itself, Russia agreed to assign the entire of Kuril Islands to Japan in exchange of Japan recognition toward the entire of Sakhalin Island as part or Russia’s jurisdiction.54 The treaty also granted Japan fishing right in waters washing Sakhalin.55
“Recognized the entire island of Sakhalin as a possession of Russia. The residents of the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin had the option of remaining or of returning to their respective homelands. They were guaranteed freedom of religion, the right to own property, and the right to engage in industry, under the condition
50 March, Patrick. 1996. Eastern Destiny: Russia in Asia and the North Pacific. Praeger Publisher: Westport. 51 http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/russia/territory/edition92/period1.html accesed on 7th December 2016 52 Boothe, Jason. Kuril Islands Dispute: Case Study of Russian-Japanese Relations. pg 3. Retrieved from http://data.biitbook.com/Kuril-Islands-Dispute-:-Case-Study-of-Russian--- Japanese-Relations..pdf Access on 10th November 2016 53 Treaty of 1875 between Russia and Japan on Territories Exchange. Retrieved from http://www.prlib.ru/en-us/history/Pages/Item.aspx?itemid=520 Accessed on 10th January 2017 54 Gorenburg, Dmitry. 2012. The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute. PONARS Eurasia. CNA Strategic Studies: Harvard University. 55 March, Patrick. 1996. Eastern Destiny: Russia in Asia and the North Pacific. Praeger Publisher: Westport. 28
that they accept citizenship in and obey the laws of the country to which the territory had been ceded.”56 For decades, the Treaty of St. Petersburg are able to prevent any further dispute between Japan and Russia and maintain their relationship up to 1904 when the Russo-Japanese war broke out due to the dispute over the Manchuria and which Russia suffered defeat.57 Another treaty called Treaty of Portsmouth was signed between both states.
2.2.3. Treaty of Portsmouth 1905 In 1904, Russia and Japan had involved in few years of dispute over the control of Manchuria region. The long disputes resulted to the Russo-Japanese War that last for two years (1904-1905).58 The Treaty of Portsmouth was created between Russia and Japan as a solution to end Russo-Japanese war which resulted Russia to be the losing side.59 The Treaty of Portsmouth made Russia ceded the lease on Port Arthur to victorious Japan, but also gave up all the Kuril Islands and the Southern half of Sakhalin Island.60 The Treaty of Portsmouth itself marked the rise of a new era of diplomatic negotiations for Japan and Russia.61
“Russia cedes to Japan the southern part of Sakhalin Island as far north as the fiftieth degree of north latitude, together with the islands depending thereon. The right of free navigation is assured in the bays of La Perouse and Tartare.”62 Years after the last treaty of Portsmouth, Japan and Russia relations were under good condition, yet not for long time. During the end of World War II
56 Treaty of 1875 between Russia and Japan on Territories Exchange. Retrieved from http://www.prlib.ru/en-us/history/Pages/Item.aspx?itemid=520 Accessed on 10th January 2017 57 Boothe, Jason. Kuril Islands Dispute: Case Study of Russian-Japanese Relations. pg 3. Retrieved from http://data.biitbook.com/Kuril-Islands-Dispute-:-Case-Study-of-Russian--- Japanese-Relations..pdf Access on 10th November 2016 58 Treaty of 1875 between Russia and Japan on Territories Exchange. Retrieved from http://www.prlib.ru/en-us/history/Pages/Item.aspx?itemid=520 Accessed on 10th January 2017 59 http://www.portsmouthpeacetreaty.com/. The official website of Portsmouth peace treaty was made for the study of the Treaty - made possible by the Japan-America Society of NH funded by the Center for Global Partnership of the Japan Foundation. Accessed on 5th December 2016 59 Retrieved from http://www.portsmouthpeacetreaty.com/. Accessed on 5th December 2016 60 Retrieved from http://www.prlib.ru/en-us/history/Pages/Item.aspx?itemid=520 Accessed on 5th December 2016 61 Retrieved from http://www.portsmouthpeacetreaty.com/. Accessed on 5th December 2016 62 Retrieved from http://www.portsmouthpeacetreaty.com/. Accessed on 5th December 2016 29 another dispute happened due to the ambiguity over the result of Yalta Conference between Russia and Western alliance. Furthermore, the ambiguity itself resulted to both countries that insisted South Kuril Islands as part of their sovereignty and continues until this recent day.
2.2.4 Yalta Agreement 1945 The Yalta Agreement is a document that was created as a result of Yalta Conference which held in city of Yalta, Crimea during the end of World War II in 1945.63 The Yalta Conference that was held on February 1945, was attended by Winston Churchill as British representative, Joseph Stalin as Russia representative and U.S President, Franklin D. Roosevelt. 64 According to the conference itself, Stalin agreed to enter the Asian War against Japan in return of islands that Russia lost to Japan during Russo-Japanese war which Russia believed South Kuril Islands was included. On August 9th 1945, Russia attacked the Japanese forces in Manchuria and Sakhalin in order to fulfil its Yalta Conference obligations to the Western allies.65
Then, it was followed by Japan had accepted defeat and the next day announced the termination of the war in the Pacific. Then, during the end of World War II where Japan suffered losses, Russia launched the invasion of the Kuril Islands on August 18th, conquering the entire chain between Kamchatka Peninsula and island of Hokkaido which following by Japan signed the act of unconditional surrender on 2nd September 1945.66
63 Retrieved from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/yalta-conference-foreshadows-the- cold-war Accessed on 10th January 2017 64 The Yalta Conference that was held on February 1945, was the second wartime meeting of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Most of the contents of this conference were kept secret. 65 Trenin, Dmitri and Yuval Weber. 2012. Russia’s Pacific Future: Solving the South Kuril Islands Dispute. Carnegie Moscow Center. 66 Trenin, Dmitri and Yuval Weber. 2012. Russia’s Pacific Future: Solving the South Kuril Islands Dispute. Carnegie Moscow Center. 30
2.2.5. San Francisco Peace Treaty 1951 Few years after the end of World War II where Japan suffered defeat, in San Francisco, on 8th September 1951, the allies and Japan signed the San Francisco Peace Treaty. In the chapter two of the treaty itself, Japan stated about the renouncing of Sakhalin and Kuril Islands to Russia. However, Japan claimed that the South Kuril Islands or they called as Northern Territories that consist of the island of Iturup, Kunashir, Sikhotan and Habomai were not part of the chain of Kuril Islands and would be still under Japanese government Jurisdiction.67 Japan insisted that the South Kuril Islands were part of the Islands of Hokkaido. Due to this condition, Russia refused to sign the treaty saying that the territories were included as part of Kuril Islands that promised to Moscow during the Yalta conference. 68 The failure to sign the treaty itself leads to the important consequences. Since Russia declined all the content of the treaty, it still put all the chain of Kuril Islands including South Kuril Islands under Russia jurisdiction until this recent day and create a dispute with Japan that claimed the islands as their territories.69
“Japan renounces all right, title and claim to the Kurile Islands, and to the portion of Sakhalin and the islands adjacent to it over which Japan acquired sovereignty as a consequence of the Treaty of Portsmouth of September 5, 1905”70 After Russia refused to sign the peace treaty and keep the islands under their sovereignty, Japan kept trying to bring up the claim of the islands. However, at this time, only the smaller islands of Shikotan and Habomai were claimed due to Japan beliefs that both islands is considered as part of Hokkaido island, not chain of Kuril Islands. Then in 1956, Japan attained an agreement with Russia to reconcile the dispute.
67 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Retrieved from http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/russia/territory/overview.html Accessed on 5th December 2016 68 Gregory, Clark. 2005. Japan-Russia Dispute over Northern Territories Highlights Flawed Diplomacy. The Asia-Pacific Journal. Retrieved from http://apjjf.org/-Gregory- Clark/2018/article.html. Accessed on 4th December 2016 69 Trenin, Dmitri and Yuval Weber. 2012. Russia’s Pacific Future: Solving the South Kuril Islands Dispute. Carnegie Moscow Center. 70 United Nations, Treaty Series, Vol 8, p.189 31
2.2.6. Russia-Japan Joint Declaration 1956 Russia and Japan formally ended their state of war by signing the joint declaration which was ratified by the Supreme Soviet and the Japanese parliament. Under the declaration, Moscow approved to return Shikotan and Habomai islands once an official peace treaty was signed. 71 In this declaration, Japan’s claim toward another two immense Islands, Kunashir and Iturup remain unchanged. Yet, the peace was not last for long time due to the cold war between two super power states at that time, Soviet Union and United States. The 1960 Treaty if Mutual Cooperation and Security that was signed between Japan and United States has provoked Soviet Government to withdraw their signature from the 1956 join declaration and demanded U.S military bases to leave Japan for the continuity of joint declaration, which Japan refused due to their fear that U.S would make Okinawa as their territory in Japan lets Soviet Union own Iturup and Kunashir.72
By the withdrawing of Soviet Union from 1956 join declaration has postponed the settlement of South Kuril Islands dispute. Until the end of the cold war, current situation over the ownership of South Kuril Islands remained unchanged. 73 Soviet Union refused to recognize the presence of a territorial dispute with Japan and considered the entire part of Kuril Islands chain in Sea of Okhotsk as part of their sovereign territory. However, Since the 1960s, Moscow has said it was willing to compromise with Tokyo by offering the island of Shikotan and Habomai, but Japan wants Russia to restore the entire chain of islands.74
71 Trenin, Dmitri and Yuval Weber. 2012. Russia’s Pacific Future: Solving the South Kuril Islands Dispute. Carnegie Moscow Center. 72 Gregory, Clark. 2005. Japan-Russia Dispute over Northern Territories Highlights Flawed Diplomacy. The Asia-Pacific Journal. Retrieved from http://apjjf.org/-Gregory- Clark/2018/article.html. Accessed on 4th December 2016 73 Trenin, Dmitri and Yuval Weber. 2012. Russia’s Pacific Future: Solving the South Kuril Islands Dispute. Carnegie Moscow Center. 74Kamalakaran, Ajay. 2015. Why Russia will not return the Southern Kurils to Japan. Retrieved from http://rbth.com/international/2015/06/11/why_russia_will_not_return_the_southern_kurils_to_jap an_46797.html on 27th October 2016. 32
2.3. Recent Condition of South Kuril Islands Dispute Even the South Kuril Islands dispute has been around for decades, yet the dispute still being an issue for both Japan and Russia in this recent day. The presence of the dispute itself has given significance influence toward Japan and Russia bilateral relations. Numerous of predicament also arose between Japan and Russia due to the unresolved dispute of South Kuril Islands. The tension over the dispute increase when in 2010, Russian President, Dmitri Medvedev visited the dispute islands for the first. The visit has triggered protest from Japan government to Russia. His trip sparked an outcry in Japan, with the country’s prime minister describing the visit as ‘unforgivable outrage’. 75 As the result of President Medvedev visit to Kuril Islands, The Japanese Foreign Ministry responded immediately by summoning the Russian ambassador in Tokyo for clarification. Despite of strong protest from Japanese government, in 2012 President Medvedev visited the Islands for the second time. He stated that visiting the islands is considered as important to Russian government and it will be continued by the new cabinet.76 During his second visit, President Medvedev also insisted that the dispute islands are an important part of Russia itself.77
“I’d like to underline that I consider visiting the Kurils by the government of the Russian Federation crucially important. We have been doing it before and, naturally, this practice will be continued by the new cabinet. The reason for that are quite clear: [the islands] are an important part of the Sakhalin region and an important part of the Russian land.”78 Due to this second visit, the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Koichiro Gemba has declared the protest and stated that the visit will “pour cold water” to Japan- Russia relations.79 However, despite of the tensions that brought by the South
75 Pacific storm: Russia-Japan tension rises over Medvedev’s visit to Kuril Islands. Retrieved from https://www.rt.com/news/kuril-islands-visit-medvedev/ Accessed on 5th December 2016. 76 Medvedev visits Kuril Islands – Important part of Russian Land. Retrieved from https://www.rt.com/politics/medvedev-kuril-islands-visit-284/ Accessed on 5th December 2016 77 Pacific storm: Russia-Japan tension rises over Medvedev’s visit to Kuril Islands. Retrieved from https://www.rt.com/news/kuril-islands-visit-medvedev/ Accessed on 5th December 2016. 78 Pacific storm: Russia-Japan tension rises over Medvedev’s visit to Kuril Islands. Retrieved from https://www.rt.com/news/kuril-islands-visit-medvedev/ Accessed on 5th December 2016. 79 Medvedev visits Kuril Islands – Important part of Russian Land. Retrieved from https://www.rt.com/politics/medvedev-kuril-islands-visit-284/ Accessed on 5th December 2016 33
Kuril Islands dispute itself, both states are able to maintain a good relationship. Moreover, most in every occasion, both states tried to discuss the dispute matter to find a way to resolve the dispute even when they never came up with proper solution. In 2014, Japan Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe visited Russia to attend 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Sochi. The visit by Prime Minister itself considered as important to maintain Japan-Russia relations in long term.80 On the other occasion of United Nations General Assembly, both of state leaders, Shinzo Abe and Vladimir Putin met on the sideline to talk about the peace treaty negotiations, in particular the territorial issue.81 Yet, despite of many efforts that had been placed to resolve the issue regarding the dispute, both states could not find a way to finish the dispute since none of states are willing to settle the ownership of the islands. Russia offers to Japan to return Shikotan and Habomai for several years has always been rejected by Japan and insist Russia to return all of four islands.
Recently, even in the middle of long lasting dispute, Russia and Japan still able to maintain their good relations. In December 2016, during Russian President, Vladimir Putin visit to Tokyo, both Russia and Japan agreed to sign a joint statement and start the consultation of joint economic activities in South Kuril Islands as one of important step to settle the dispute.82 Russian representative, Oleg Kozhemyako stated that Russia is prepared to give Japanese company the opportunity to employ numerous projects in South Kuril Islands.83 Kozhemyako also invited Japanese government to visit the islands together with Japan investor to talk over the possibility of joint economic activities between these two neighbors countries.
80 Lukyanov. Fyodor. 2016. Why Shinzo Abe is visiting Sochi. Retrieved from http://rbth.com/opinion/2016/05/06/why-shinzo-abe-is-visiting-sochi_590513. Accessed on 5th December 2016. 81 Lukyanov. Fyodor. 2016. Why Shinzo Abe is visiting Sochi. Retrieved from http://rbth.com/opinion/2016/05/06/why-shinzo-abe-is-visiting-sochi_590513. Accessed on 5th December 2016. 82 TASS. Japanese PM Plan Visiting Russia Early 2017. Retrieved from http://tass.com/world/923973 Accessed on 10th January 2017 83 Russia and Japan Discuss Join Activities on South Kuril Islands. Retrieved from http://in.rbth.com/news/2016/12/19/russia-and-japan-discuss-joint-activities-on-south-kuril- islands_661748 Accessed on 10th January 2017 34
"The two leaders have agreed to advance the negotiations on joint economic activities on the islands, and also expressed their sincere determination to resolve the problem of a peace treaty," the joint statement reads.84 Moreover, in early 2017, Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe plan to have a visit to Russia in order to discuss South Kuril Islands dispute. Abe plan to visit Russia is considered as an importance step to solve the dispute between both countries and considered as a path to the creation of peace treaty between Russia and Japan.
“Having the firm intention to settle (the problem of belonging of the southern Kuril Islands and of signing a peace treaty) within this generation, we hope (to apply) every effort for negotiations. For that, early this year I want to visit Russia."85
2.4. Chapter Summary The dispute between Japan and Russia over the ownership of South Kuril Islands undeniably can be considered as the long standing dispute about territorial. The dispute has started since 1855 and has not been able to be solved until these days. Early dispute that occurred after the signing of Shimoda treaty has resulted to the relationship between two involving states. Several treaty has been established in order to solve the dispute. At the first, treaties that have been made were capable to prevent further tension between both states. However, at the end of the World War II the tension has increased due to Russia invasion toward the South Kuril Islands area. The invasion that happened in 1945 as the result of Yalta conference has made Japan and Russia refused to sign peace treaty until this recent day.
Furthermore, the South Kuril Islands dispute has been around for decades, yet the dispute still brought significant influence toward Japan and Russia bilateral relations in the recent day. Several tensions between Japan and Russia
84 Russia and Japan Discuss Join Activities on South Kuril Islands. Retrieved from http://in.rbth.com/news/2016/12/19/russia-and-japan-discuss-joint-activities-on-south-kuril- islands_661748 Accessed on 10th January 2017 85 TASS. Japanese PM Plan Visiting Russia Early 2017. Retrieved from http://tass.com/world/923973 Accessed on 10th January 2017 35 were reported due to the dispute itself. The visit by Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev to dispute islands in 2010 and 2012 sparked a protest from Japanese government. Yet, despite of the tensions that happened over the years, both Japan and Russia had tried to settle the dispute by signing some agreements and joint declaration. However, the efforts from both states are not enough to resolve this long standing dispute.
The fact of Russia refused to acknowledge joint declaration in 1956 due to the beginning of cold war did not prevent an extensive expansion of Soviet- Japanese bilateral relations until today. Since the end of the Cold War, Russia has pursued to develop their cooperation with Japan yet keep maintaining the South Kuril Islands under their jurisdiction.
36
CHAPTER III RUSSIA AND JAPAN RELATIONS OVER SOUTH KURIL ISLANDS DISPUTE (2010-2015)
3.1 Effect of South Kuril Islands Dispute to Russia-Japan Relations
Russia and Japan bilateral relations have long story that was tainted with war, territorial dispute and conflict. South Kuril Islands dispute continues to be a barb in the relations of both sides and seems to reemerge in a predictable cycle. The issue about the dispute remains dynamic in context with political developments in Moscow and Tokyo. Ever since the South Kuril Islands dispute emerged, the relationship between Russia and Japan had experienced high and low tide. The dispute has affected the bilateral relations between neighboring states in East Asia. As it had been stated in the previous chapter, the early effect of South Kuril Islands Dispute is the rejection from both staes to sign peace treaty during the end of World War II. Moreover, South Kuril Islands dispute that has been around for decades also brought more outcome to both states bilateral relations. In the middle of South Kuril Islands dispute during 2010-2015 period, many event related to the dispute had happened and influence both states relations. Despite all of that, Russia and Japan still able to maintain their relations as neighbors. Russia do not see the absence of a peace treaty as an obstacle to develop a relationship and cooperation with Japan, somehow both states manage to have several form of cooperation.86 However, most of the cooperation between them could not last long.87 Japan keeps seeing South Kuril Islands as a struggle,
86 Speech of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia S.V Lavrov at MGIMO (U) MFA and answers to the questions asked by students, Moscow, 1 September 2012. Retrieved from http://www.mid.ru/en/web/guest/foreign_policy/news/- /asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/145330 Accessed on 10th January 2017 87 Svetlana, Vassiliouk. “Japanese-Russian Energy Cooperation: Problem and Perspectives”. The Institute Energy:Tokyo. 37 while Russia seems to keep their status quo over South Kuril as long as bilateral relations with Japan continue relatively smoothly.88
In early 2010, the relations between both states were tainted by adverse event due to their dispute over South Kuril Islands. On January 29th, Russia FSB guards identified two Japanese fishing boats that illegally entered the northern part of Kunashir Islands.89 In order to stop Japan vessel entered further to Russia border, Russia coast guards fired warning shots, yet the shots were ignored by Japan vessel which left Russia coast guards had to launch direct fire to send the vessel off from Kunashir Island. 90 Due to this incident, Japanese government through their foreign minister stated their protest toward Russia open fire to their fishing vessel. Japanese foreign minister argued that the coast guard’s action “could have resulted in the loss of life and were completely inappropriate”.91 However, oppositely, Russian foreign minister denied Japan protest over the incident. Russia accused Japan has violated the Intergovernmental Agreement on Some Matters of Cooperation in the Field of Fishing Operations for Marine Living Resources that had been made between both states in 1998.92 Furthermore, Russia demanded Japanese government to take strong endeavor to guarantee that a regrettable incident like this would not happen again in the future.
Furthermore, on 2010, during Dmitry Medvedev administration, Russia released new military doctrine that stated territorial claims against Russia is
88 Asia Sentinel. 2011. The Knotty Kuril Islands Problem. Retrieved from http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/the-knotty-kuril-island-problem/ Accessed on 10th January 2017 89 Russian MFA Information and Press Department Comments on the Violation by Japanese Fishing Vessels of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Some Matters of Cooperation in the Field of Fishing Operations for Marine Living Resources of February 21, 1998. February 1st 2010. Retrieved from http://www.mid.ru/en/web/guest/kommentarii_predstavitelya/- /asset_publisher/MCZ7HQuMdqBY/content/id/265190 Accessed on 10th January 2017. 90 Sputnik News. 2010. Russia Rejects Japan Protest over Shooting Incident. Retrieved from https://sputniknews.com/amp/russia/20100201157745123/ Accessed on 10th January 2017. 91 Sputnik News. 2010. Russia Rejects Japan Protest over Shooting Incident. Retrieved from https://sputniknews.com/amp/russia/20100201157745123/ Accessed on 10th January 2017. 92 Russian MFA Information and Press Department Comments on the Violation by Japanese Fishing Vessels of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Some Matters of Cooperation in the Field of Fishing Operations for Marine Living Resources of February 21, 1998. February 1st 2010. Retrieved from http://www.mid.ru/en/web/guest/kommentarii_predstavitelya/- /asset_publisher/MCZ7HQuMdqBY/content/id/265190 Accessed on 10th January 2017. 38 considered as the main threat to the country.93 Few months after the doctrine released, Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev visited the South Kuril Islands for the first time. His visit is known as the first official visit from head of government to the dispute islands between Russia and Japan, South Kuril. At that time, his visited to the islands has triggered a protest from Japanese government. However, despite strong protests from Japanese government, senior Russian officials followed in his president footsteps, and issued calls for a “free trade zone” in the islands, especially for Chinese and South Korean investors.
Another visit on February 4th 2011 by Russian Defense Minister, Anatoly Serdyukov, to the part of South Kuril Islands, Iturup and Shikotan had worsened the relations with Japan.94 As same as the previous visit by Russian President in November 2010, Japanese government declared their protest toward Serdyukov visit that considered as bad move from Russia to their bilateral relations with Japan. Japanese Foreign Minister, Seiji Maehara expressed his regret and described the visit as “bucket of cold water poured on us (Japan)”.95 Subsequently, both Russia and Japan involves in exchanged heated words on the issue. 96 Additionally, the situation heated up after Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev made a comment related to the situation over the dispute islands during his meeting with Russia's defense and regional development minister. Medvedev comments that worsen the situation was related to his instruction of the additional weaponry and defense mechanism that were order to be placed in the Pacific Ocean, specifically in the disputed islands of South Kuril.97
93 Beljac, Marco. 2010. The Nuke Strategy Wonk: Russia’s New Military Doctrine. Retrieved from https://cryptome.org/0002/ru-mil-doctrine.pdf Accessed on 10th January 2017 94 Washington Post. 2011. Russia Defense Chief Visit s Disputed Islands. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/03/AR2010110302148.html Accessed on 10th January 2017. 95 Washington Post. 2011. Russia Defense Chief Visit s Disputed Islands. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/03/AR2010110302148.html Accessed on 10th January 2017. 96 BBC News.2011. Russia to Deploy more Arms on Kurils, Claimed by Japan. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-12409056 Accessed on 10th January 2017. 97 BBC News.2011. Russia to Deploy more Arms on Kurils, Claimed by Japan. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-12409056 Accessed on 10th January 2017. 39
In order to reduce the tension, Japanese foreign minister, Seiji Maehara visited Moscow on February 11th, to talk over the South Kuril Islands dispute. Yet, the discussion failed to construct any agreements. Instead, both states insisted on their sovereignty towards the islands.98 The joint press conference that was held during Maehara visit also ended up in tense atmosphere once again due to Russian Foreign Minister’s statement related to the ownership of South Kuril Islands. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that any kind of discussion would be useless if the country’s leadership shared radical approaches.99 Maehara replied to the Lavrov’s statement and insisted that the “Northern Territories” are belongs to Japan as their indigenous territories. 100 “When radical approaches gain the upper hand in Japan and are shared by the country’s leadership, of course it is useless to conduct any discussion on this issue.”101
Moreover, On August 30th, 2011, newly appointed Japan Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, mentioned in his first speech about the South Kuril Islands dispute that had been influenced Japan relations with Russia.102 He stated his intention to form a regional partnership with Russia for Asia-Pacific region and continue to solve the dispute over South Kuril Islands.
In 2013, Russia and Japan held the first diplomatic and defense talk regardless on their territorial dispute of South Kuril Islands that left unresolved. Japanese government sent their foreign minister, Fumio Kishida and defense minister, Itsunori Onodera as their representative. As same as Japan, Russia also sent their foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov and defense minister Sergei Shoigu as their representative. The meeting that was assembled in Tokyo produced a good
98 Chan, John. 2011. Japan and Russia in diplomatic row over disputed Kuril Islands. Retrieved from https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2011/02/jpru-f17.html Accessed on 10th January 2017 99 Chan, John. 2011. Japan and Russia in diplomatic row over disputed Kuril Islands. Retrieved from https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2011/02/jpru-f17.html Accessed on 10th January 2017 100 Sputniks. Japan to Continue Talks with Russia on Southern Kuril Islands- Foreign Minister. Retrieved from https://sputniknews.com/world/201701201049800698-russia-japan-kuril-islands/ Accessed on 15th January 2017 101 Chan, John. 2011. Japan and Russia in diplomatic row over disputed Kuril Islands. Retrieved from https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2011/02/jpru-f17.html Accessed on 10th January 2017 102 Retrieved from http://nbenegroup.com/territory/view_en.html Accessed on 10th January 2017 40 result for both states. Both Russia and Japan agreed to build a new security and foreign relations agreements. One of the concrete results of the meeting is the agreement to perform military drills to enhance both states security to fight over pirates and terrorist in high seas. The drills will be attended by Japan’s Maritime Self Defense Force and Russian Navy. Furthermore, Russia and Japan also plan to have another meeting in matter of “Russia and Japan Cyber Security” as well as more governmental talks related to defense and security cooperation for both states in the future. Lavrov stated in his interview with media that they tried to tackle both states regional issues such as borderless crimes, drug trafficking, and numerous territorial issues with other states. “We confirmed that our close cooperation in settling these issues will meet the interest of the two states,”103
Furthermore, for Japan’s side, the first diplomatic meeting with Russia is seen as a milestone to solve the issues of signing peace treaty that had been interrupt Japan and Russia relations since the end of World War II due to their territorial dispute over South Kuril Islands which had averted them to sign the peace treaty after the end of World War II. Hence, even the cause of the no peace treaty between both states is their fight over the disputed islands of South Kuril, there was no mention about the next step towards conciliation to settle the territorial issues of South Kuril. Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin have already had four summits in six months in order to set up these ministerial meetings and to discuss restarting the negotiations over the islands.
However, even after their first diplomatic talks, Japan seems still try to avoid some cooperation that directly related to the South Kuril Islands dispute. Through their vice foreign minister, Igor Morgulov, at the end 2013, Russia proposed to Japan to make a joint cooperation in order to increase the development of infrastructure in South Kuril islands. According to Morgulov, the cooperation will be under Russia’s policy, yet, Japan refused the offer. Japan refused Russia’s offer to take part on joint project in dispute islands, South Kuril.
103 Chan, John. 2011. Japan and Russia in diplomatic row over disputed Kuril Islands. Retrieved from https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2011/02/jpru-f17.html Accessed on 10th January 2017 41
Japan urged that the cooperation will give recognition to Russia over the sovereignty of South Kuril Islands. This cooperation is seen could weaken Japan claim over South Kuril Islands. Moreover, the offer from Russia is considered as Russia’s act to decline Japan claim over the South Kuril Islands.
Another important event related to South Kuril Islands dispute happened in 2014, where both Russia and Japan, through their foreign ministers, reached an agreement to foster talks related to South Kuril Islands status. During the meeting that was held in Munich, both prime ministers also confirmed the meeting between Shinzo Abe and Vladimir Putin would happen in February 8th during Abe visit to Sochi.104 The purpose of Abe visit for 2014 Winter Olympic opening is to strengthen long term relations with Russia that he considered as an important.105 During the meeting, both country’s leaders agreed to have further talk about unresolved dispute of South Kuril Islands and continue the discussion upon the peace treaty that had not been sign between two states. To engage in further discussion, Abe planned to pay a visit to Moscow in the future.
"…… I believe relations between Japan and Russia have their biggest potentials at the moment. The situation in Asia and the Pacific Ocean is changing a lot at the moment, and in these conditions the strengthening of ties with Russia not only meets the interests of our countries, but also has major importance for the region,"106 Moreover, even after several talks in few years, it seems like Russia and Japan relations over South Kuril Islands dispute had always faced dead end due to no meticulous solution that could satisfied both sides. Both states seems have no
104 Sputniks. Japan to Continue Talks with Russia on Southern Kuril Islands- Foreign Minister. Retrieved from https://sputniknews.com/world/201701201049800698-russia-japan-kuril-islands/ Accessed on 15th January 2017 105 The Voice of Russia. 2014. Abe to Attend Sochi Olympic Games and Hopes Talks with Putin Will Strengthen Japan-Russia Ties. Retrieved from https://sputniknews.com/voiceofrussia/news/2014_02_04/Abe-to-attend-Sochi-Olympic-Games- and-hopes-talks-with-Putin-will-strengthen-Japan-Russia-ties-0408/ Accessed on 15th January 2017 106 The Voice of Russia. 2014. Abe to Attend Sochi Olympic Games and Hopes Talks with Putin Will Strengthen Japan-Russia Ties. Retrieved from https://sputniknews.com/voiceofrussia/news/2014_02_04/Abe-to-attend-Sochi-Olympic-Games- and-hopes-talks-with-Putin-will-strengthen-Japan-Russia-ties-0408/ Accessed on 15th January 2017 42 particular interest in creating significant concessions to solve the issues over the ownership of the disputed islands as long as they could further advance their relations in another aspects.
3.1.1. Japan Standpoint toward Russia over South Kuril Islands Dispute
World War II that ended in 1945 has left relations between Russia and Japan in bad term. The relations between both states became worse during the cold war when Japan favorably built its good relations with United States which resulted to Russia cancelled their Joint Declaration in 1956. However, since the end of Cold War, Japan has tried to develop their relations and cooperation with Russia as a hoped that an improved in relations with Russia will produce a positive settlement toward the territorial dispute of South Kuril Islands between Russia and Japan.107 During the strenuous years due to the split up of Soviet Union in 1991, Japan started to ensure the humanitarian aid and assistance to Russian citizen in South Kuril Islands. Since 1991, the citizen of South Kuril Islands has received visa free travel to Japan in return for comparable privileges conceded to former Japanese citizens of the islands and their family members.
Simultaneously, in the recent years, Japan has taken numerous of actions that demonstrate their unwillingness to drop their claim over South Kuril Islands and rejected any compromise on its official position. Hence, Japanese government started to take their move in order to increase their claim towards the Islands. A law stating that Russia has unlawfully occupied the South Kuril Islands which should belongs to Japan as their indigenous territory was adopted by Japanese parliament in 2009. The Japanese government also repeatedly uttered their protest towards the visit of Russian President and his senior official to the part of South Kuril Islands when the dispute between them still remains unresolved. Japan even temporarily withdrew their ambassador from Moscow as the form of protest toward Russia’s aggressive action over their dispute of South Kuril. In 2011,
107 Gorenburg, Dmitry. 2012. The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute. PONARS Eurasia. CNA Strategic Studies: Harvard University. 43 protester gathered in front of Russian embassy in Tokyo to voice their protest. The protester despoiled Russian flag as a form of their protest toward Russian government.
However, Japanese government has gradually come to recognize that the cooperative relationship with Russia is needed for a wide-ranging scope of issues detaches from the South Kuril Islands dispute. 108 Japan defectively needs to expand their supply of energy sources and gradually notices Russia as a crucial partner within the region that might be a help to prevent the domination of China over East Asia region. Russia as the gas and oil exporters has attracted Japan’s attention to secure the access to Russia’s field in Siberia and Sakhalin due to Japan’s concern that it could be sent to China after the issue of the built of pipelines that will send the energy resources to China.109 Both Russia and Japan view China as an emerging force that could be a potential threat and needs to be stabilized. Russia and Japan also have pursued to develop their security relations in order to prepare for the changing of security dynamics in East Asia. In 2011, Japanese government stated their willingness to weigh up on participating to the joint economic activities with Russia in South Kuril Islands due to the consideration that the activities would not negatively impact Japan’s claim toward the South Kuril Islands.110 Japanese government has recognized that the chance to solve the issues of disputed islands with Russia are low and have decided to postponed the solution over the disputed whilst expanding other aspects of the bilateral relations.111
Furthermore, in the recent day, Japanese government has emphasized its commitment on settling the dispute over ownership of South Kuril Islands and
108 Gorenburg, Dmitry. 2012. The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute. PONARS Eurasia. CNA Strategic Studies: Harvard University. 109 Gorenburg, Dmitry. 2012. The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute. PONARS Eurasia. CNA Strategic Studies: Harvard University. 110 Trenin, Dmitri and Yuval Weber. 2012. Russia’s Pacific Future: Solving the South Kuril Islands Dispute. Carnegie Moscow Center. 111 Gorenburg, Dmitry. 2012. The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute. PONARS Eurasia. CNA Strategic Studies: Harvard University. 44 signing the peace treaty with Russia.112 Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has been the first Japanese prime minister that met with the Russian leader in decades. Abe has done numerous of meeting with Russian President, Vladimir Putin in order to resolve the South Kuril Islands dispute.113
3.1.2 Russia Standpoint toward Japan over South Kuril Islands Dispute
During the first administration of Vladimir Putin as Russian president, he pursued to end the territorial dispute of South Kuril Islands with Japan by using the joint declaration of 1956 as the basis of negotiation. Russia once again stated their willingness to return two out of four islands, which are Shikotan and Habomai as part of the solution to solve the dispute with Japan in order to maintain good relationship with Japan. Russia sees a good relation with Japan will be favorable for the development of Russia economy at that time. Particularly, a decent relationship with Japan will attract Japanese companies to invest to Russia. Moreover, the decent relations with Japan will be a helpful for Russia in the direction of development on information technology and education. It will also beneficial for Russia to advance their underdeveloped region and raise the standard of living for their citizen.
Before, Russia itself has constantly in 1993 and 2001 0ffered to return the Shikotan and Habomai to Japan following the content of joint declaration 1956.114 According to joint declaration 1956 between Russia and Japan, to resolve the dispute over South Kuril Islands, Russia and Japan agreed of returning Shikotan and Habomai to Japan’s territories. 115 Nevertheless, Japanese government has
112 Akaha, Tsuneo. 2016. Cause for Optimism in Russia-Japan Relations. Retrieved from http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2016/07/19/cause-for-optimism-in-russia-japan-relations/ Accessed on 11th January 2017. 113 Akaha, Tsuneo. 2016. Cause for Optimism in Russia-Japan Relations. Retrieved from http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2016/07/19/cause-for-optimism-in-russia-japan-relations/ Accessed on 11th January 2017. 114 Trenin, Dmitri and Yuval Weber. 2012. Russia’s Pacific Future: Solving the South Kuril Islands Dispute. Carnegie Moscow Center. 115 Retrieved from http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/russia/territory/edition92/preface.html Accessed on 15th January 2017 45 persistently rejected the offer and insisted Russia to return all four disputed islands of South Kuril that was taken by Russia forcedly from Japan during the end of World War II as the only solution left to solve the issues between both states.
In another hand, for Russian government, returning two islands of Shikotan and Habomai was considered as the only acceptable solutions to resolve the disputed islands issues. Russia insisted their ownership toward the islands as what they were promised during the Yalta conference in 1945.116 Their gesture to return Shikotan and Habomai were only to reflect their willingness to have good relations with Japanese government as neighbor’s state. Due to the rejection from Japan side, Russian government wanted to keep preserving their status quo over the South Kuril Islands which had been under their authorities since the end of World War II in 1945.117
3.2. Chapter Summary
As neighbor’s states, Russia and Japan had a long story of relations. Started with the first official diplomatic agreement between Russian Empire and The Empire of Japan in 1855, both states had expanded their relations to many aspects. As same as another states, their relations was somehow also faced an obstacle. Wars and disputes happened as part of their counterpart as sovereign states. Moreover, the dispute between both states over the ownership of four islands in the southern part of Kuril chain has developed as a crucial issue for Russia and Japan. The dispute that had started more than decades has played big role in influencing Russia and Japan relations and making their relations experienced high and tide. For instance in 2010, the relations between Russia and Japan had experienced tension due to Russia President, Dmitry Medvdev visit to the islands which resulted to the protest from Japanese government. The condition
116 Trenin, Dmitri and Yuval Weber. 2012. Russia’s Pacific Future: Solving the South Kuril Islands Dispute. Carnegie Moscow Center. 117 Gorenburg, Dmitry. 2012. The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute. PONARS Eurasia. CNA Strategic Studies: Harvard University. 46 heated up the relations condition between both states when in 2011, senior official from Russia also visited the islands following their leader step. However, in the middle of tension, both states was able to manage their relations in another aspect while tried to find a solution for their issues of disputed islands.
In Japan standpoint toward Russia, Japanese government starts to realize the importance of good relations with Russia as their help to fulfill their need over the natural resources and energy supply. Japan also sees Russia as a potential alliance to balance the rise of China which can be a potential threat for both states in Asia-Pacific region. In the recent day, Japanese government also attempts to strengthen their commitment with Russia in order to find a solution for South Kuril Islands dispute.
As same as Japan, Russia government also attempts to build a good relation with Japan as their neighbor’s states while trying to find a solution over the disputed islands. Russia consider good relations with Japan to anticipate the changing security dynamic that will happen in East Asia due to the rise of China. However, regarding to the solution over South Kuril Islands dispute, Russia insisted to return only two out of fours disputed islands, following their first joint declaration with Japan in 1956. The offer that repeatedly given to Japan in 1993 and 2001 and always been rejected by Japan due to Japan’s claim over all the four islands of South Kuril. Due to this condition, Russia chose to preserve their status quo over the ownership of the islands which now under the jurisdiction of Russian government.
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CHAPTER IV RUSSIA’S MOTIVES IN PRESERVING ITS SOVEREIGNTY IN THE SOUTH KURIL ISLANDS (2010-2015)
4.1. Russia’s Motives towards South Kuril Islands Under the perspective of realism, it is widely understandable that the nature of international world is anarchy.118 The anarchical circumstance occurs because the actor that is considered as the most important in realism perspective, which is sovereign state is independent and able to govern themselves. Basically in the world of anarchy, realism believes that state actors can decide for themselves and therefore, no other states or higher power can have the power to rule them. Realism believes that every state apparently will behave by following their national interests and states behavior in following their national interests by engaging in relations with another state respectively influence global politics.119 Somehow, in this anarchy world state cannot believes another states and makes security of the state be important aspect for every state.120 Every actions that are assumed to be an obstacle towards the stability of its national security will be considered as threat for a state, included dispute with another state. Furthermore, this theory is used to analyze Russia’s motives in preserving its interest in disputed islands of South Kuril with Japan, especially for their maritime security.
In 2010, during Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev administration, Russian government released their new military doctrine. One of the point in their new military doctrine pointed out their point of view towards territorial dispute with another state. As same as the previous doctrine, the issues of territorial
118 Dornan, Miriam.2011. Realist and Constructivist Approaches to Anarchy. Retrieved from http://www.e-ir.info/2011/08/29/realist-and-constructivist-approaches-to-anarchy/ Accessed on 16th January 2017 119 Morgenthau’s Realist Theory (Six Principles). Retrieved from http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/international-politics/morgenthaus-realist-theory-6- principles/48472/ Accessed on 16th January 2017 120 Ibid 48 claims towards Russia jurisdiction is considered as the main external military threat to Russia’s national security.121 Therefore, the dispute between Russia and Japan over the ownership of South Kuril Islands is considered as a threat towards Russian national security, especially in their maritime security.
We live in an international system with a distinct territorial order. The territory is known as one of the important elements to create a state. By having a wide area of territory, a state will gain many benefits for its government and society. Territorially circumscribed states and their leaders remain the most prominent actors.122 One of the required things that define strong state is by their ability and capability to control their own territory. 123 Furthermore, there are some territories that possess large number of resources that can be an advantage in many aspect, such as security and economy.
By owning this territory, a state will have a valuable asset that can be used to maintain their survival and the need for their citizen. In maintaining the national interest of the state, maritime security has been growing as the key aspect of security in order to ensure the state survival from any kind of threats from another rivalry states that may intrude the security of state and its effort to achieve state’s national interest. In maritime security itself, one of issues that should be a concern for a state is maritime dispute.
Russia and Japan dispute over South Kuril Islands that located in Okhotsk Sea can be seen as a maritime threat for Russia. Due to this substance, Russia ownership over the South Kuril Islands is considered important for their government in order to maintain their maritime security in Sea of Okhotsk and prevent any possible threats for their states. The Sea of Okhotsk and Kuril Islands which possessed big number of undiscovered resources has drawn attention of
121 Russian Military Doctrine 2010. Retrieved from http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/pub1050.pdf Accessed on 16th January 2017 122 Goemans, Hein E. 2013. The Politics of Territorial Disputes A Geospatial Approach Applied to Africa. Retrieved from http://polisci.columbia.edu/files/polisci/content/pdf/students/Goemans,%20Hein%209-19- 13%20paper.pdf on 26th October 2016. 123 Hanlon, Querine. 2011. State Actors in 21st Century Security Environment. National Strategy Information Center, p. 1. 49
Russia’s government to take the control of the sea.124 Like it has been stated by one of the experts, A.T. Mahan, that the control over the sea had given a great power towards states in world history.
“The use and control of the sea is and has been a great factor in the history of the world, …wars arising from other causes have been greatly modified in their conduct and issues by control of the sea.”125
4.1.1. The Decision Making of the Russian Federation The decision making in Russia’s hierarchy is influenced by the factors and motives, which can be represented into the interest of the state itself. Based on the perspective of Realism, the structure of the decision making can be projected as the state’s own interest, and it is highly dependent on the individuals who makes up the structure in the state itself. In the case of the Russian Federation, there is a great attention surrounding the decision making of the state, especially towards the President of the Russian Federation, which in this research is Dmitri Mdevev (2008 -2012), and Vladmir Putin (2012 – 2017).126 For the matter foreign policy making, the Russian federation follows the decision by the President through the Presidential Decree, and is approved by the legislative body in Russia.127
The vision that is laid out by the government of the Russian Federation is mainly envisioned by the President of the Russian Federation, and is followed by the structures of the government, including the Prime Minister, the different ministries, and also other executive bodies. When assessing the interest of the Russian Federation, the main underlining factor to the decisions itself can be referred to how the interest can support the development of the Russian Federation, and also providing the interest of security, among many others. Establishing favorable conditions maintaining them have been an integral part of
124 Gorenburg, Dmitry. 2012. The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute. CNA Strategic Studies: Harvard University. 125 Perwita, A.A. Banyu. (2017, March). Personal Interview. 126 MacAuley, M. (1997): Russia’s Politics of Uncertainty. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. McDaniel, T. (1996): The Agony of the Russian Idea. New Jerwey: Princeton. 127 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Official Site. Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation. Accessed on February 28th, 2016. 50 how Russia makes their decisions and sets the interest. Especially with the competition between the global powers, and the larger motive of Russia to lead shaping the international system. 128 Throughout this research, the writer have identified many sources that included statements, press releases, and quotations of Russian Federation leaders, that identifies the national interest of the Russian Federation, and the decision making it represents. Often times that the statements that the Russian Federation makes is directed towards addressing the interest of Russia, towards their foreign policy and how they perceive the dynamics.
This thesis however, does not focus on the decision making process of Russia in anyway. However, as the research objective explains, that the writer will focus on the factors that define the national interest of the Russian Federation into preserving their national interest, which is the claims over the disputed territory of the South Kuril Islands in the Sea of Okhotsk. This is conducted through analyzing the strategic values of the South Kuril Islands, and using the principles of maritime security.
The hierarchy of the Russian Federation shows a clear interest in maintaining and preserving their rights to ownership of the South Kuril Islands, as perceived by the decisions made related to these disputed islands. This decisions follows active referral by the Russian Federation leaders into moving to strengthen their claims of the South Kuril Islands. In the previous chapter the writer has already discussed how the Russian Federation leaders states their interest in maintaining and developing the Southern Kuril Islands. From the statement of both Russian Presidents, Dmitri Medvedev and Vladmir Putin, and the visit of Medvedev to the islands back in 2012. 129 This is also supported through the legislative body of the Russian Federation, that outlines the necessity to create the Russia Far East development, and development plans for the Eastern part of Russia, which included the South Kuril Islands.
128 Ibid 129 MacAuley, M. (1997): Russia’s Politics of Uncertainty. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. McDaniel, T. (1996): The Agony of the Russian Idea. New Jerwey: Princeton. 51
4.1.2. The Strategic Values of South Kuril Islands to Russia The strategic values of South Kuril Islands had become one of Russia’s motives to preserve its interest in the islands. The southern part of Kuril chain itself holds various numbers of strategic values that have attracted Russian government. The South Kuril Islands in the Okhotsk Sea possesses great geographic location that considered important for Russia during the Cold War and also for Russia’s current military development.130 Moreover, the economic values of South Kuril Islands also can be great advantages for Russia that holds the authority over the four islands in the South Kuril.
During the Cold War between Russia and United States. The South Kuril Islands was considered as a crucial part of Russia’s defense strategy. The location of South Kuril Islands was used as “Russian Fort” to protect their SLBM’s submarine from U.S submarine threats considering the tight relations between United States and Japan at that time.131 Russia feared that U.S could build their military base in the South Kuril Islands during the Cold War era if the sovereignty over the islands was transferred to Japan. Furthermore, the transfer of the islands to Japan considered as an obstacle to Russia that would reduce the latitude of Russian submarine to the Pacific Ocean.132
130 Unprecedented Steps: Russian Military Explores Kuril Chain Islands as Potential Pasific Fleet Base. https://www.rt.com/news/344539-kuril-island-russian-navy/ Accessed on 16th January 2017 131 BBC News. 2013. Kuril Islands Dispute between Russia and Japan. Retrieved from https://www.rt.com/news/344539-kuril-island-russian-navy/ Accessed on 16th January 2017 132 BBC News. 2013. Kuril Islands Dispute between Russia and Japan. Retrieved from https://www.rt.com/news/344539-kuril-island-russian-navy/ Accessed on 16th January 2017 52
Figure 4.1 Russia Far East Region Map133
The other values of South Kuril Islands to Russia are the geographic location of the islands itself. At the current time, Russia sees the chain of Kuril Islands that lies between Okhotsk Sea and the Pacific Ocean as their strategic fragment of their Far East region.134 The islands are still considered as a strategic location for Russian Defense base. Russian government views the South Kuril Islands as an important aspect of their defense planning.135 The red area in the map is Russia Far East region. It can be seen South Kuril Islands that creating a barrier between Okhotsk Sea and the Pacific Ocean and Sakhalin, also located near Hokkaido Island under Japan jurisdiction. Due to its significance location, Russia views the islands as an important location for the development of their new military infrastructure and defense base in the Far East region. Moreover, Russia consideration to not returning the islands to Japan is due to Japan good relations with U.S. If Russia returns the disputed Islands of South Kuril to Japan, there is a possibility that U.S government can build the naval and defense in the islands and it can be a threat for Russia, especially their Far East Region.136
133 Bagot, Liz. 2010. The Russian Far East: Gateway to Asia. SRAS. Retrieved from http://www.sras.org/russian_far_east Accessed on 14th March 2017 134 Gorenburg, Dmitry. 2012. The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute. CNA Strategic Studies: Harvard University. 135 Gorenburg, Dmitry. 2012. The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute. CNA Strategic Studies: Harvard University. 136 Trenin, Dmitri and Yuval Weber. 2012. Russia’s Pacific Future: Solving the South Kuril Islands Dispute. Carnegie Moscow Center. 53
4.2. The Importance of South Kuril Islands to Russia Maritime Security Under the study of Maritime security itself, there are a few underlining principles of how a maritime security is important for the state, and the principles outline the significance of the maritime security into four, which are Source of Wealth, Life Support System, Medium for Trade and Communication and Peace and Security.137 Sea of Okhotsk and part of South Kuril Islands is considered as valuable aspect for Russia maritime and defense development. Furthermore, by using the theory of maritime security, this chapter will analyze the motives of Russia in preserving its interest in disputed islands of South Kuril and why the sovereignty of the South Kuril Islands is important for the Russian government.
4.2.1. Sources of Wealth In maritime security theory by Christian Bueger, it is explained that there are four principles of Maritime security, one of them is Source of Wealth.138 Maritime security poses its principles on the significance of the security of the maritime territory itself towards the security or survival of the state as a whole. Under sources of wealth, this principle lays out of the possession of the significant resources that would supply the state with adequate resources to grow, or even merely to survive. To explain further, this principle undermines the thought that states have their significant importance to secure the resources that will have their benefit for their own.
According to UNEP in its Global International Water Assessment of Sea of Okhotsk, the sea possesses excessive values for economic sector.139 It is stated that the Sea of Okhotsk region includes the Okhotsk oil and gas field, making its area particularly valuable for economic sector.140 An evaluation of hydrocarbon
137 Perwita, A.A. Banyu (2017, March 8). Personal Interview. 138 Bueger, Christian. 2015. What is Maritime Security?. Cardiff University. 139 Aleeksev, A.V et al. 2006. Global International Water Assessment Sea of Okhotsk, GIWA Regional Assessment 30. Sweden: University of Kalmar. 140 Aleeksev, A.V et al. 2006. Global International Water Assessment Sea of Okhotsk, GIWA Regional Assessment 30. Sweden: University of Kalmar. 54 resources made in 1994, concluded that the Sea of Okhotsk shelf has the equivalent of 14,462 million tons of fuel.141 Russia, as one of the biggest oil exporter states in the world, is seeing the islands as their valuable assets to their oil industry development. Moreover, the Sea of Okhotsk’s renewable energy sector also has a potential to be developed and the sea also contains a wealth of mineral resources. The number of biological resources in Okhotsk Sea covers around 46% of the biological resources in the Northern Pacific.142 There is also a developed mining and fishing industry near the Russian coastal area in Sea of Okhotsk which is considered as valuable assets. The coastal area of the sea has a great mining potential and also considered as the richest fishery region in the world. The live resources that are available are cod, herring, and other kinds of seafood such as Moluccas and algae, and all consists of millions. The Russian president, Vladimir Putin during his time attended the Russia’s Far East seminar stated the importance of the disputed Islands between Russia and Japan for the economic development in the Far East and Siberia.
“All this area contains tremendous resources, including oil and gas, 90 percent of Russian tin, 30 percent of Russian gold, 35 percent of forest, 70 percent of Russia's fish is harvested in the local waters,' he said in an interview with Bloomberg. This is a region with a substantially developed transport and railroad infrastructure. In recent years we have been actively developing road connections. There is also a huge potential for developing the aviation and space industries.”143 The Sea of Okhotsk indeed holds abundant of values that will be a benefit for state that can have a control toward the sea. Additionally, the area surrounding the sea itself also holds numerous values. Furthermore, the disputed islands in the South of the Kuril in the Okhotsk Sea currently hold a large number of explored and unexplored resources. By the identified resources, the southern islands of
141 Aleeksev, A.V et al. 2006. Global International Water Assessment Sea of Okhotsk, GIWA Regional Assessment 30. Sweden: University of Kalmar. 142 Aleeksev, A.V et al. 2006. Global International Water Assessment Sea of Okhotsk, GIWA Regional Assessment 30. Sweden: University of Kalmar. 143 Siberian News. Putin vows not to 'trade' Kuril Islands, and Puts Accent on Economic Development. Retrieved from http://siberiantimes.com/business/opinion/news/n0722-putin-vows- not-to-trade-kuril-islands-and-puts-accent-on-economic-development/ Accessed on 24th January 2017 55
Kuril has been reported to have greatly valued minerals such as hydrocarbon deposits, gold, silver, iron and titanium. The islands of Kunashir and Iturup are rich with mineral resources and are believed to have plenty of rare metals. The island of Iturup is also reported to have a rhenium mine, which a rare metal that is highly valued in electronic manufacturing.144 Other forms of resources have also been identified in the form of minerals such as gold, silver, ore, ferrous and non- ferrous metal). Moreover, the archipelago, which has unspoiled forests, volcanoes, and waterfalls, also has the potential of tourism brilliant.145 The success of oil and gas projects off nearby Sakhalin Island has also spurred energy companies to survey the waters near the Kuril Islands for hydrocarbon deposits. The islands, with their virgin forests, volcanoes and waterfalls, also hold immense potential for tourism. Moreover, According to experts, the total stock of natural resources of the South Kuril Islands with the adjacent territorial waters is estimated at $ 2.5 trillion.146 Every year from the ocean’s depths here can get to 4.2 billion seafood, such as salmon, cod, flounder, anchovy, tuna, sea urchin, pelagic squid, king crab and octopus.147 If Russia transferred the South Kuril to Japan, they will lose 210,000 square miles of water area that hold abundant biological and energy resources.148
4.2.2. Medium for Trade and Communication The medium for trade and communication serves as the principle that identifies the significance of having the access for trade and communication for
144 Gorenburg, Dmitry. 2012. The Southern Kuril Islands Dispute. CNA Strategic Studies: Harvard University. 145 Aleeksev, A.V et al. 2006. Global International Water Assessment Sea of Okhotsk, GIWA Regional Assessment 30. Sweden: University of Kalmar. Retrieved on http://www.unep.org/dewa/giwa/areas/reports/r30/giwa_regional_assessment_30.pdf. Accessed on 11th November 2016. 146 World News. Japanese fishermen from Hokkaido fear the return of Russia to Southern Kurils. Retrieved from https://greatest.info/japanese-fishermen-from-hokkaido-fear-the-return-of-russia- to-southern-kuriles/ Accessed on 11th November 2016 147 World News. Japanese fishermen from Hokkaido fear the return of Russia to Southern Kurils. Retrieved from https://greatest.info/japanese-fishermen-from-hokkaido-fear-the-return-of-russia- to-southern-kuriles/ Accessed on 11th November 2016 148 Sputnik News. What Prevents Russia, Japan From Settling Dispute over Kuril Islands. Retrieved from https://sputniknews.com/politics/201606051040807455-russia-japan-kuril-islands/ Accessed on 11th November 2016 56 the sake of security and development of the state. The access to maritime routes is a major advantage to be gained by any state that has their coastline; this allows states to conduct the trade routes with more options and reducing the costs to conduct trade.
The Sea of Okhotsk is a semi-enclosed marginal sea confined by Russia to the north and west and Japan to the south. Sea of Okhotsk is located at the sideline of northwestern the Pacific Ocean between 43°43’ and 62°42’ N, 135°10’ and 164°54’ E.149 Although the Sea of Okhotsk is a small and marginal sea, it is encircled with the geographically distinctive environment.150 The Sea of Okhotsk is connected with the Sea of Japan by the Tatar and La Pérouse straits, and to the Amur bay by the Nevelskoy and Tatar straits.151 The chain of Kuril Islands and Kamchatka Peninsula separated the Sea of Okhotsk from the open ocean. Located in the eastern part of Russia, the islands are a gateway to the Sea of Okhotsk, facing the North Atlantic. Due to this geographic location, the chain of Kuril Islands is considered as an important territory for Russia in order to manage their sea route in Sea of Okhotsk.
The South Kuril Islands as part of Kuril chain undeniably have lot of resources, yet the islands also has particular values for a Russia in term of medium for trade and communication of the state. The South Kuril Islands are known as the part of chain of Kuril Islands lies from Hokkaido to Kamchatka Peninsula and separated the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean.152 The islands are considered as the main passage from Sea of Okhotsk to go through the Pacific Ocean. By owning the entire chain of Kuril Islands, it is possible for a state to
149 Aleeksev, A.V et al. 2006. Global International Water Assessment Sea of Okhotsk, GIWA Regional Assessment 30. Sweden: University of Kalmar. Retrieved on http://www.unep.org/dewa/giwa/areas/reports/r30/giwa_regional_assessment_30.pdf. Accessed on 11th November 2016. 150 Wakatsuchi, Masaaki. 2006. Recent Study of the Sea of Okhotsk. Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University: Japan 151 Aleeksev, A.V et al. 2006. Global International Water Assessment Sea of Okhotsk, GIWA Regional Assessment 30. Sweden: University of Kalmar. Retrieved on http://www.unep.org/dewa/giwa/areas/reports/r30/giwa_regional_assessment_30.pdf. Accessed on 11th November 2016. 152 Aleeksev, A.V et al. 2006. Global International Water Assessment Sea of Okhotsk, GIWA Regional Assessment 30. Sweden: University of Kalmar. 57 control access to the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean. The water area surrounding South Kuril Islands also extremely deep that it could be a safe way for submarine to transit to the open ocean underwater.153 The Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, to the east, and the Kuril Basin, to the west, reach depths upwards of 27,885 ft (8500 m) and 11,155 ft (3400 m) respectively.154 Currently, the Kuril Islands are one of the trade routes from the Okhotsk Sea that connects the Mainland Russia towards the Pacific Ocean. Securing the access towards by the mainland Russia, to the Asia Pacific through sea opens up many options for Russia to conduct their shipping access for trade, communication and or even military purposes.
Figure 4.2. Northern Sea Route Map155
153 Aleeksev, A.V et al. 2006. Global International Water Assessment Sea of Okhotsk, GIWA Regional Assessment 30. Sweden: University of Kalmar. Retrieved on http://www.unep.org/dewa/giwa/areas/reports/r30/giwa_regional_assessment_30.pdf. Accessed on 11th November 2016. 154 The Kuril Islands Geography. Retrieved from https://csde.washington.edu/kbp/kurilUs/about/geography.html Accessed on 5th December 2016 155 The Maritime Executive. 2016. Future Development of the Northern Sea Route. Retrieved from http://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/future-development-of-the-northern-sea-route Accessed on 14th March 2017 58
Furthermore, the chain of Kuril Islands is passed by the Northern Sea Route, a shipping lane that connects the Kara Sea to the Pacific Ocean.156 NSR is the ideal expressway for Russian Arctic possessions and for fostering regional industrial expansion since the entire route lies within Russia's EEZ. By 2015 the total of 5.4 million tons of goods and cargos were shipped through the NSR, from about 4 million tons in 2014 and 3.9 million tons in 2013. Only a small number of portions were transited outside the Russian territorial border of the NSR, according to NSR Administration. NSR cargo surge is expected to increase significantly with the new development of Russian Arctic hydrocarbon projects.157 The NSR Administration obtained the total of 715 applications for passing through NSR in 2015, about 126 applications came from foreign ships.158
Due to its importance, The Russian government released in 2015, the Russia’s Northern Sea Route 2015-2030 Integrated Development Plan. The plan highlights the significance of stipulating safer and more steadfast navigation on NSR for maritime export of Russian natural resource materials.159 Hence, losing the sovereignty of South Kuril Islands to Japan could affect Russia’s control over the NSR. Moreover, in order to guard and protect the NSR, Russia has developed new defense forces in the Far East region. Russia general mayor, Yevgeny Nikiforov stated that the increase of military presence and defense forces in the islands is important of the development of NSR.160 “This is part of the important
156 Retrieved from http://rbth.com/international/2015/06/11/why_russia_will_not_return_the_southern_kurils_to_jap an_46797.html Accessed on 22nd January 2017 157 The Maritime Executive (2016) Future Development of Northern Sea Route. Retrieved from http://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/future-development-of-the-northern-sea-route Accessed on 23rd January 2017 158 The Maritime Executive (2016) Future Development of Northern Sea Route. Retrieved from http://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/future-development-of-the-northern-sea-route Accessed on 23rd January 2017 159 The Maritime Executive. Future Development of the Northern Sea Route. Retrieved from http://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/future-development-of-the-northern-sea-route Accessed on 22nd January 2017 160 The Maritime Executive. New Forces to Guard Northern Sea Route. Retrieved from http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/new-forces-to-guard-northern-sea-route Accessed on 24th January 2017 59 work on the integrated development of the Arctic zone along the Northern Sea Route, an area which today includes more than 70 major sites and ports.”161
4.2.3. Life Support System Life support system principle talks of the concept significance of human sustainability of maritime security. The significance of the life support system is valued highly for the people who live in the territory, and those people who gain income by the resources that are in the maritime territory.
In 2014, out of 56 islands in the chain, only 9 islands were inhabited and the total of the population in the islands was around 19,000 people.162 Currently, there are reportedly 5000 Russians that are living in the Islands of Kunashir and Iturup of the chain of Kuril Islands, and most of them depend on the fisheries that are available surrounding the islands since the area is famous for its plentiful and various wildlife.163 The islands are known as a home to populations of, sea otter, sea birds, minke whales, Orcas, seals, sea lions, crabs, fish, and many other kinds of marine life.164 The seal species surrounding the sea of Okhotsk are rare and unique to the environment itself. This includes bearded seals, ringed seals, and spotted seals, and the population of the seals itself can reach a hundred thousand in certain years. Russians depend on the seal’s harvest for consumption and income, with depending the most on ringed seals.
Russia is also reportedly attempting to develop the infrastructure of the island, with establishing a fishing industry in Iturup, and developing the mines in the islands, to better the quality of the resource mining of the islands.165 Iturup
161 The Maritime Executive. New Forces to Guard Northern Sea Route. Retrieved from http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/new-forces-to-guard-northern-sea-route Accessed on 24th January 2017 162 Retrieved from https://apps.cndls.georgetown.edu/projects/borders/exhibits/show/russia/russia- and-japan Accessed on 5th December 2016 163 Global Security. Northern Territories/ Kuril Islands. Retrieved from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/kuril.htm Accessed on 16th January 2017 164 Global Security. Northern Territories/ Kuril Islands. Retrieved from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/kuril.htm Accessed on 16th January 2017 165 Dmitry Medvedev Visits Kuril Islands. 2015. Retrieved from http://government.ru/en/news/19375/ Accessed on 23rd January 2017 60 uses a major number of their resources from the sea of Okhotsk, with the thriving industry seeking to develop further. In 2012, fishermen in the area’s total amount of harvest reached 22 thousand metric tons of pink salmon, and also 3.5 thousand metric tons of chum salmon.166 Both of the products are favorites in the fishery products, with potential buyers from China, US, and Europe. Even further, Russia is seeking to develop this even more, through massive improvements to the Reidivo Salmon Processing Plant in Ola Bay. 167 With this, the citizens living surrounding the area can benefit even further from having more capacity to harvest and store more salmons in from the sea.
The far-east of Russia has faced uncertain conditions in the past, with being underfunded that was heavily needed in order to support the livelihood in the islands itself. Until recently, there has not been a proper processing of the resources, with mostly lacking in infrastructure. The resources have existed, but the proper utilizations has yet to be developed since the area was so poorly funded, that they do not have the means to allow more distribution. By the Russian’s decision to develop the infrastructure even further, the life support system that can benefit the people living in the area can prosper properly in the future, providing a better life to sustain human development for the islanders.
4.2.4. Peace and Security Last but not least on the principle of maritime security, the importance of peace and security of the maritime territory. As it has been explained before, under the realism perspective, the concept of security is vital to be considered by the state in regards to the analysis. The condition of peace is believed to be the condition that states would strive upon, and the notion of security itself does bring the idea of maintaining the survival of the state in the discussion. The realist believes the concept of security itself takes the vital form in the territorial
166 Russian Iturup Pink, Chum Salmon Fishery Starts MSC Re-assessment (2013). Retrieved from http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/20446/russian-iturup-pink-chum-salmon-fishery-starts-msc- reassessment/ Accessed on 23rd January 2017 167 Dmitry Medvedev Visits Kuril Islands. 2015. Retrieved from http://government.ru/en/news/19375/ Accessed on 23rd January 2017 61 integrity of the state, meaning that the state is responsible for maintaining and keeping the peace and security of their own territories, as sovereign states that is acknowledged de facto and de jure.
The Kuril Islands is believed to be already an integral part of Russia’s defense policy, The Kuril Islands is perceived as one of Russia’s first line of defense, in facing threats from the Southeast of its territory, meaning that the key plan of Russia’s defense policy has its part to play in the Kuril Islands, in order to create a better peace and security to be realized. And the damage that can be implied through the loss of the islands would also be significant through the loss of access to the Pacific Ocean, which would inherently. Stretching from Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula to Japan’s Hokkaido, the Sea of Okhotsk, which includes the Kuril Islands, is crucial for Russia’s nuclear submarines. The Sea of Okhotsk, guarded by the Kuril Island chain is considered as the only safe option for Russia to place their nuclear submarines.
Losing the islands of Kuril itself poses a threat towards the other principles of the maritime security. The nature of past behaviors of Russia in this context of scenario may tend to take the form of passive-aggressively, or even aggressively asserting their right to their ownership of the islands, with the past deals of Russia-Japan after the World War II. Both Russia and Japan has been adamant in their claims of the islands itself, with Japan consistently attempting to negotiate with Russia regarding the right to the chain of islands, although Russia has refused and claimed that the ownership is currently rightfully belonging to Russia, due to the deal that occurred after the WWII. Russian military leaders believe that control of the islands is crucial to preserve their Pacific Fleet’s access to the Pacific Ocean.168 The islands connect the Okhotsk Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Seeing from the perspective of realism, losing the islands to Japanese government will also make Russia lose their control over the only gateway that connects Okhotsk Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Losing the islands also can threaten
168 Russia Insider. Here is Why Russia Can Never Afford to Give up the Southern Kurils to Japan. 2016. Retrieved from http://russia-insider.com/en/here-why-russia-can-never-afford-give- southern-kurils-japan/ri14094 Accessed on 16th January 2017 62 the security of Russia Far East region, since the islands are used as Russia defense base to protect the region. Hence, Russian military leaders stated that they cannot give up the islands to Japan because doing so would reduce the Russian Pacific Fleet’s effectiveness and decrease Russia’s security since Moscow would no longer have unfettered access to the open seas. Moreover, the islands of Kunashir and Iturup are an essential part of Russia’s Asia-Pacific economic and defense strategy.
Figure 4.3. Kuril Chain lies between Okhotsk Sea and Pacific Ocean169
Under the principles of maritime security, it have been identified why the security of the Kuril Islands is very important for Russia, for the sake of survival and development of the state, and Russia is keen on maintaining their right to the Kuril Islands. The principles of the maritime security represent the key significance of why the states should uphold the security issues in the maritime territory, the states that have identified the resources are naturally bound to protect the resources that they would have.
169 Energy Daily. (2011). Islands Claimed by Japan Will be Russia’s Forever: Kremlin. Retrieved from http://www.energy- daily.com/reports/Islands_claimed_by_Japan_will_be_Russias_forever_Kremlin_999.html Accessed on 14th March 2017 63
4.3 Russia Security Development in South Kuril Islands The disputed islands of South Kuril are often mentioned for their value of energy and resources, but, actually, the islands also hold strategic importance. By that measure, the islands are more important to Russia. The South Kuril Islands are important to Russia since they preserve Russian naval access to the Western Pacific and play a critical role in Russia’s nuclear deterrence strategy. 170 According to Russia Maritime Doctrine 2020, the chain of Kuril Islands is considered as an important aspect of Russia maritime security development in Asia-Pacific Region. Due to this condition, having a full authority in the Kuril Islands, including South Kuril, will give advantages for the development itself. South Kuril Islands are included in Russia on their development of coastline port infrastructure where Russia intends to construct their airbase that will provide their access to the Pacific Ocean. The islands also have a significant role in Russia’s strategy to advance their sea route across Artic Ocean.
Furthermore, Russia’s interest towards South Kuril Islands is shown by their attempt to build military facilitate in South Kuril Islands, especially Kunashir and Iturup. Russia is preparing a special budget for the development of infrastructure in South Kuril region for their special socio-economic development plan for the region. Seeing the developments that Russia pushed in the islands, Russia is likely to progressively strengthen their military presence around the South Kuril Islands in the Sea of Okhotsk. 171 This development shows the strategic importance of the South Kuril Islands for the Russian government. Estimated of 1.2 million US dollars was allocated by the Russian government to build the infrastructure of the islands where the main focus of the budget will ultimately be intended for construction of facilities of defense and security.172
170 The National interest. 2016. Russia vs Japan: Asia’s Forgotten Islands Fight. Retrieved from http://nationalinterest.org/feature/russia-vs-japan-asias-forgotten-island-fight-15942 Accessed on 16th January 2017. 171 Kazumine, Akimoto. 2013. The Strategic Values of Territorial islands from the Perspective of National Interest. Retrieved from https://www.spf.org/islandstudies/research/a00008/#section1 Accessed on 16th January 2017 172 Russian Insider. 2015. Why Russia Won’t Cede Southern Kuril Islands to Japan. Retrieved from http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/why-russia-wont-cede-southern-kuril-islands- japan/ri7920 Accessed on 16th January 2017 64
Russia also has started their construction of military barracks in Iturup and Kunashir. Russia is stepping up military activities around the disputed islands as an anticipation of the opening of the Northern Sea Route. In 2011, Russian Defense deputy minister, Ruslan Tsalikov have visited Kunashir and Iturup to inspect the construction of military facilities in the islands. According to Russian State Defense Orders, Russia plans to build barracks, depots as well as leisure and sports facilities in their military base. Furthermore, there will be also around 220 objects that will be ready next year, such as around 40 residential and houses, schools, nursery schools, and sports complexes with swimming pools, skating rinks as well as hospitals, shops, etc. 173 "Russia's Spetsstroy companies are carrying out massive work on construction of two military bases on the Kunashir and Iturup islands,"174
Russian government views the importance of building the military base on the Kuril Islands as a prevention besides as protection towards Russia’s local oil and natural gas reserves, but also project power near to US coasts and airspace. In the same year, Russia organized their largest military exercise in the area near the South Kuril Islands, engaging around 20 naval vessels, together with bombers.175
Russian defense department through their defense minister, Sergei Shoigu’s statement has commanded for a rapid construction of their military infrastructure as part of Russia’s plan to connect Russia with Pacific coast through their new sea route. Moreover, in 2016, according to TASS Russian government plan to deploy sophisticated coastal missile systems on the islands and search any possibility of setting up a permanent naval base for their Pacific Fleet on the island chain, The deployment of coastal missile system was
173 Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation. 2011. Deputy Minister of Defence Ruslan Tsalikov inspected the construction of military facilities on the Kuril Islands. Retrieved from http://eng.mil.ru/en/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12062942@egNews Acccessed on 16th January 2017 174 Sputnik News. 2015. Russia to Complete Construction of Military Bases on Kuril Islands in 2016. Retrieved from https://sputniknews.com/russia/201511101029885367-russia-kurils-bases/ Accessed on 16th January 2017 175 Sputnik News. 2015. Russia to Complete Construction of Military Bases on Kuril Islands in 2016. Retrieved from https://sputniknews.com/russia/201511101029885367-russia-kurils-bases/ Accessed on 16th January 2017 65 announced by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on January, 2016 during a ministry meeting.176
“The planned rearmament of contingents and military bases on the Kuril Islands is under way. Already this year they will get Bal and Bastion coastal missile systems as well as new-generation Eleron- 3 unmanned aerial vehicles,”177 Russia military presence in the islands is considered as a milestone that will help Russia’s plan to build Arctic military bases in their application of their Arctic strategy. 178 The Russian government also has ordered to increase the military activities in South Kuril as their anticipation of the opening of the new Northern Sea Route that will be used as a shipping lane which connects the Kara Sea with the Pacific Ocean. The new route that moves along the Russian Arctic coast is expected will give double advantages for Russia which are the advantages in military and economic aspects.179 Russian prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev during his last visit to Sakhalin and South Kuril Islands on August, 2015, stated that the development of military infrastructure in the islands need to be carried on since the islands is the sovereign part of the Russia and had to be developed as same as another region.180
“I inspected the troops’ deployment and also attended the drills of the machinegun-artillery regiment that is stationed there. I’ve seen that the standards of combat interaction in the Eastern Military District. I hope they will carry on in the same manner because we need a modern combat-ready military group in the Kuril Islands.”181
176 Pravda Report. 2012. What Makes Japan Cling to Russia’s Kuril Islands?. Retrieved from http://www.pravdareport.com/world/asia/26-01-2012/120335-japan_russia_kuril_islands-0/ Accessed on 16th January 2017 177 The Diplomat. Russia to Deploy Missile Defense System in Kuril Islands. Retrieved from http://thediplomat.com/2016/03/russia-to-deploy-missile-defense-systems-on-kuril-islands/ Accessed on 16th January 2017 178 Shines, Robert. 2015. The Kuril Islands: Power Projection and Resources Projection. Retrieved from http://globalriskinsights.com/2015/11/the-kuril-islands-power-projection-and-resource- protection/ Accessed on 16th January 2017 179 Trenin, Dmitri and Yuval Weber. 2012. Russia’s Pacific Future: Solving the South Kuril Islands Dispute. Carnegie Moscow Center. 180 Dmitry Medvedev Visits Kuril Islands. 2015. Retrieved from http://government.ru/en/news/19375/ Accessed on 23rd January 2017 181 Dmitry Medvedev Visits Kuril Islands. 2015. Retrieved from http://government.ru/en/news/19375/ Accessed on 23rd January 2017 66
4.4 Chapter Summary The South Kuril Islands as a part of Kuril chain that lies between Okhotsk Sea and the Pacific Ocean hide abundant values that attract Russia government. The economic benefit that possesses by the islands and its strategic geographic location are not the only aspects that made Russia wants to preserve its sovereignty in the islands. The islands that have been under Russian government authority since the end of World War II also consider as an important aspect of Russia’s maritime security in Asia-Pacific Region.182
The four islands that located in southern part of Kuril chain possess significant values for Russia’s maritime security since the islands fulfilled the four principles of maritime security. According to GIWA Regional assessment, the islands that lie between Okhotsk Sea and the Pacific Ocean possesses a great number of economic values, such as oil, gas and mineral resources. The islands also considered important for Russia trade and communication since the islands are known as one of Russia’s trade routes from the Okhotsk Sea that connects the Mainland Russia towards the Pacific Ocean.
Furthermore, another significant value of the islands are in peace and security. Stretching from Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula to Japan’s Hokkaido, the Sea of Okhotsk, which includes the Kuril Islands, is crucial for Russia’s nuclear submarines. The Sea of Okhotsk, guarded by the Kuril Island chain is considered as the only safe option for Russia to place their nuclear submarines. Hence, transferring the authority of the South Kuril Islands to Japanese government will create a loss for Russia. Russia considers the good relations between Japan and U.S. as one of the reason why they cannot give the islands. Russia concern that if thy return the South Kuril Islands to Japan, U.S government can plan to build naval and defense base in the islands that will be a threat for Russia in the future.
Due to their interest towards South Kuril Islands, Russia also increases their development in the islands, especially Kunashir and Iturup. In 2011, Russian
182 The National Interest. 2016. Russia vs Japan: Asia’s Forgotten Islands Fight. Retrieved from. http://nationalinterest.org/feature/russia-vs-japan-asias-forgotten-island-fight-15942 Accessed on 16th January 2017 67 defense deputy minister has visited the disputed islands to do an inspection upon the construction of the military facility in Iturup and Kunashir. The Russian government has commanded for rapid construction of military infrastructure in the disputed islands as one of their plan to connect Russia with Pacific coast through their new sea route.
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CHAPTER V CONCLUSION
The territorial dispute over ownership of South Kuril Islands in Okhotsk Sea between Russia and Japan still remain with no solution until. After the end of World War II, the peace treaty between both states was not signed due to their issues related to disputed islands. The long-standing South Kuril Islands still affected Russia and Japan relations. The dispute that occurred at the first time due to the ambiguity of treaties between Russia and Japan has made both states experienced high and tide relations. Furthermore, in order to settle the disputes, both states had created some treaties, however, it still failed to solve the issue over South Kuril Islands.
In 2010, Russia released their new military doctrine that stated territorial claims against The Russian Federation is considered as the main external military threat. After the release of new military doctrine, Russia President, Dmitry Medvedev in September 2010, visited the disputed islands in South Kuril for the first time. Following their president action, in 2011, Russian defense minister, Anatoly Serdyukov visited the islands to check the development of Russia military facility, especially on Iturup Island. The action of Russian government sparked a protest and tension from Japanese government which resulted to the summoning of Japanese Ambassador to Russia by Japanese foreign minister, Seiji Mahaera. In 2012, Medvedev visited the islands for the second time and argued that the sovereignty of South Kuril Islands belongs to Russia and command for the development of military infrastructure in the Islands.
Furthermore, Russia insisted to preserve their ownership over the South Kuril Islands due to some interests, especially in the strategic values of South Kuril Islands in maritime security aspects. Seeing the strategic values that possess by the area surrounding South Kuril Islands which is Okhotsk Sea. The South Kuril Islands that located in Okhotsk Sea is believed possessing the great number of economic values. Both the sea and islands have abundant resources that attract
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Russian government to keep their authority over the islands. The Okhotsk Sea and South Kuril Islands have richness in oil, gas, mineral resources and biological resources. Hence, the strategic values of the South Kuril also pinpoint in the strategic location that offers by the islands to the Russian government. During the Cold War era, the strategic location of South Kuril was used by the Russian government to station their fort that used to protect their SLBM’s submarine from U.S. that has good relations with the Japanese government.
Moreover, the strategic location of the South Kuril Islands itself made Russia considered the Islands as the important part of their Far East region. The Islands that located near Japanese Island of Hokkaido are considered as an important area to develop their military infrastructure in Far East region. Hence, to return the islands to the Japanese government, Russia views any possibility of future threats for their security if the islands become under Japan’s territory, because seeing the good relations between Japan and U.S, there is possibility that U.S will build their naval and defense base in the islands and it can be a threat for Russia.
Hence, Russian government also considered the islands as an important aspect for their state due to their interest towards the islands seeing from the maritime security principles. South Kuril Islands and the sea surrounding it, which is Okhotsk Sea, hold the great number of resources. The areas are rich in undiscovered oil and gas, mineral resources and biological resources. The islands are considered an important part of Russia Far East region due to the existent of NSR. NSR Route is known as an important shipping lane for the Russian government and the South Kuril Islands are used as Russia defense base to protect the islands from any possible threat from other actors. Moreover, two islands of South Kuril, which are Iturup and Kunashir are reportedly being a home for around 5,000 Russian citizens. The islands provide life support system for people that being its inhabitants. In another hand, the chain of Kuril Islands that tretch from Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula to Japan’s Hokkaido, the Sea of Okhotsk, which includes the Kuril Islands, is crucial for Russia’s nuclear submarines. The Sea of Okhotsk, guarded by the Kuril Island chain is considered as the only safe
70 option for Russia to place their nuclear submarines. The islands connect the Okhotsk Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Seeing from the perspective of realism, losing the islands to Japanese government will also make Russia lose their control over the only gateway that connects Okhotsk Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Losing the islands also can threaten the security of Russia Far East region, since the islands are used as Russia defense base to protect the region. Hence, Russian military leaders stated that they cannot give up the islands to Japan because doing so would reduce the Russian Pacific Fleet’s effectiveness and decrease Russia’s security since Moscow would no longer have unfettered access to the open seas. Moreover, the islands of Kunashir and Iturup are an essential part of Russia’s Asia-Pacific economic and defense strategy.
Seeing the importance of South Kuril Islands for their state, Russia started to develop their military infrastructure in the islands, especially Kunashir and Iturup. In 2011, Russian government spent 1.2 million U.S. dollars for the construction of military infrastructure in the islands. The Russian government also increased their military presence and activities in the islands to protect the islands from any possible threat from another state. Transferring the sovereignty of the South Kuril Islands to Japan is considered as a huge loss to Russia in order to develop their Far East region. Dmitry Medvedev during his last visit to Sakhalin and South Kuril Islands stated that the development of military infrastructure in the islands needs to be carried on since the islands are the sovereign part of the Russia and had to be developed as same as another region.
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