Russia’s Perspective of Japan from the Angle of Historical Past Russia’ policy towards Japan, due to the autocratic nature of its political power, is influenced by the personal image of Japan among Russia’s political leaders, which to a large extent is shaped by their personal historical consciousness.

For more than century-and-a-half history of mutual relations Russia and Japan have been enemies, rivals and competitors. The perception of Japan is formed in the context of the leaders’ historical knowledge of the Russo-Japanese war, the intervention of Japanese troops to the Russian Far East in 1918-1922, the political confrontation and military clashes in the interwar period, the Soviet-Japanese war of 1945, as well as the cold war.

Moscow prefers to refrain from excessive propaganda attacks on Japan about its military past, considering all ‘debts’ repaid by the conditions of postwar settlement. Though Tokyo was and continues to be seen as a geopolitical opponent, Moscow follows a generous and even forgiving treatment of Japan as a ‘satellite’ of the United States deprived of the right of independent diplomatic decision-making.

Currently, the Russian leaders do not have a consistent strategy for the development of relations with Japan, so different points of view may come to the fore depending on the political situation. In an effort to preserve a fragile balance in its Asian diplomatic strategy, Moscow adheres to the principle of neutrality on complex historical issues that are on the agenda in Japan's relations with its East Asian neighbors. At the same time, Russia demonstrates a high level of rigidity in the territorial issue with Japan.