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Author : A. Torkunov
Rector, Moscow State Institute (University) of International Relations (MGIMO), Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Russian Federation, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences
The history of our relations has an extensive expe-
rience of mutual attraction, cooperation and good
neighborliness. Back in the 19th century, the Japan-
ese intelligentsia took interest in Russian culture and
rightfully called Russia their teacher. At the same
time, the political leaders of our two countries man-
aged to find compromise solutions at the most dif-
ficult moments when conflict seemed all but
inevitable.
As for the recent period of Russian-Japanese rela-
tions, i.e., during a post-bipolar world period, both countries have come to an understanding of
the exclusive importance of good-neighborly relations for their own national interests. Good
interaction at the top level has made it possible
The history of Russian-Japanese relations includes many pages that arouse controversy in the
public mind in both countries. The history of mutual confrontation and even hostility has not
passed without a trace: The Japanese for the most part take a negative view of Russia. A feeling
of hurt national pride, based on a historical subtext, is certainly not the best possible foundation
for developing bilateral ties.
At the same time, there are no outstanding unresolved problems between Japan and Russia ex-
cept, of course, the issue of border delimitation. All issues related to the legacy of World War
II were legally settled in 1956. In this sense, Japan and Russia are not hostages to this historical
past.
We praise the balanced and constructive position that Japan holds today on most international
issues and that makes it possible for us to maintain a trusting dialogue even in the complicated
geopolitical situation today. I hope that Japan, too, recognizes our country as an important partner
in establishing a lasting and secure system of international relations in the Asia-Pacific Region
and the world as a whole.
Despite the burden of problems that have accumulated during more than 300 years of contact,
Japan and Russia not only have retained interest in partnership, but have in fact preserved and
multiplied all the valuable elements in their bilateral relations that have been acquired throughout
their history.
The publication of the book "Russian-Japanese Relations in a Parallel History Format" (Rossi-
isko-yaponskiye otnosheniya v formate parallel-noi istorii: kollektivnaya monografia. / Ed. Ac-
ademician A.V. Torkunov, Prof. M. Iokibe. M.: MGIMO-U, 2015, 1000 pp.) was the result of
three years of intensive work. In 2011, a group of Japanese historians visited Moscow and had
http://interaffairs.ru
Russian-Japanese Relations in a Parallel History Format