Japan refuses to accept Russian proposal to make four disputed islands off Hokkaido a bilateral free-trade zone; Reports: Japan seeks to promote civil nuclear cooperation with Egypt and Saudi Arabia;
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    • Reports suggested that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's proposal to make four disputed islands off Hokkaido a bilateral free-trade zone has been perceived negatively by Japan. Japan’s the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Matsumoto told a press conference that "Our position is that the Northern Territories are an integral part of Japan. We cannot accept any idea that contravenes our stance".1

    There are also reports which suggest that Japan is seeking to promote civil nuclear cooperation with nations like Egypt and Saudi Arabia. These countries have not ratified a protocol to which allows snap inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog. It appears that Tokyo aims to increase infrastructure exports including nuclear power generation technology under its economic growth strategy.2 On the other hand Tokyo welcomed the establishment of the new government in Iraq "and furthering of democracy with the participation of all major political forces". It also asserted that it supports the new government. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo the approval by the Iraqi Parliament of the new Cabinet Ministers' list, submitted by Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki on December 21, means that the process for the establishment of a new government in Iraq "is now complete."3

    In a significant revelation, it has been discovered through declassified Japanese diplomatic documents that Japan and the United States had a secret pact according to which Tokyo paid $65 million to finance costs related to the 1972 reversion of Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty from U.S. control.4

    Prime Minister Kan has voiced regret over the failure of United Nations Security Council in issuing a statement condemning North Korea about the deadly attack on a South Korean island.5 Meanwhile, Japan, China and South Korea signed a pact in Seoul to establish a permanent secretariat in 2011 for the efficient promotion and management of trilateral cooperation projects.6

    Reports suggested that Tokyo should refocus its defense strategy on the rise of China and not on the cold war threat of Russia. These are based on guidelines approved by the Cabinet. These guidelines also call for a stronger alliance with the US and expanded security networks with partners like South Korea and Australia.7

    In other developments, the Japanese government plans to suspend a Japan Coast Guard member who posted online a video of collisions between Chinese and Japanese vessels near the disputed Senkaku Islands.8

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