Since 2016, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's "new approach" to Russia has offered generous political and economic engagement in the hope of achieving a legacy-defining resolution to the countries' territorial dispute. This is over the Russian-held Southern Kuril Islands, which are claimed by Japanese as its Northern Territories.
Opinion
Shinzo Abe's Russia policy risks embarrassment for Japan
He must stop giving in to Vladimir Putin, who delights in spurning him
