Why haven't Japan and Russia signed a peace treaty after World War 2 so far?
Short answer:
Because there is still a "land dispute" in the Kuril islands. Japan feels there are territorial rights that have not been restored by Russia (formerly the Soviet Union).Long answer:
Japan actually surrendered to the Soviet Union on September 2, 1945. The Japanese were represented by Mamoru Shigemitsu and Yoshijirō Umezu, the Soviet Union represented by Kuz'ma Derevyanko.Read too : Why is the birth rate in Japan so low?
Practically since that day there was a ceasefire between Japan and the Soviet Union, because Japan had already surrendered.
Accelerated to 1951, there was the signing of the San Francisco Peace Treaty between Japan and the allied parties.
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Accelerated to 1951, there was the signing of the San Francisco Peace Treaty between Japan and the allied parties.
One of the points is that Japan is guaranteed independence, territorial territory, and is welcomed back into the international community.
Despite being involved in the deal process, the Soviet Union did not sign the San Francisco Peace Treaty in protest against the United States not including Communist China in the Treaty.
The implication is that even in peace conditions Japan and the Soviet Union have no official diplomatic route.
Five years later in 1956, Japan and the Soviet Union signed a Joint Declaration to restore diplomatic relations between the two and also end the war.
As usual in the treaty there are terms and conditions apply, for example in this case there is an exchange of prisoners of war remaining, also the Soviet Union gave Japan support to be able to join the United Nations.
There is also an agreement to return the two islands in a controlled territory to Japan after the signing of a formal peace treaty.
Here Japan has not been able to receive 100%, because they want the entire island (there are four in total) in Kuril returned, as a result there is no further process for a formal peace treaty.
For now Japan has no urgency in rushing to sign a peace deal, especially if the result is detrimental to them (Japan still hopes to restore their four islands).
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| Disputes over Kuril's whereness |
The Russians, meanwhile, do not plan to give up the territory because there are concerns that the United States (which is a Japanese ally) will build military power at the site, and that it is too close to mainland Russia.
Moreover, diplomatic and military relations between Japan and Russia have been relatively well established so there is no need for special attention to make a World War II peace treaty.