Since the end of World War I and World War II, people have realized the value and importance of peace. Therefore, wars between countries also gradually decreased. This is especially true since the 21st century. Countries tend to cooperate and compete in ways that do not harm personal safety.
However, precisely because countries try not to engage in armed fighting between countries, the efficiency of negotiations will be reduced and the timeline will be lengthened. For example, Japan and Russia have been arguing over the ownership of the four northern islands for 120 years.
The two parties negotiated four times, but they all ended awkwardly. And during these four negotiations, no injuries occurred to either party.
This makes people wonder why the two parties have never been able to successfully negotiate. How far have the two parties progressed so far? In 1960, the Soviet Union put forward a condition and returned it to the four northern islands if accepted. Why didn't Japan dare to agree?
About the Four Northern Islands
The Four Northern Islands are located at the junction of Russia and Japan. The reason why it is called the Four Northern Islands is because this area is composed of four small islands .
The combined area of these four islands is about 5,000, which can be said to be very small.. What magic power allowed Japan and Russia to win this area? Nature has full value.
The first and most important thing is the military value. The four northern islands are connected to Hokkaido and the Kamchatka Peninsula. These three areas together become the boundary line of the Western Pacific. Whoever occupies the four northern islands will have certain dominance over the Western Pacific.
Moreover, the area surrounded by the four northern islands is a natural protective barrier and can store a large number of heavy weapons.
Secondly, is the resource background of the four northern islands themselves. The four seas in the north have a variety of mineral resources, oil resources, gold, and forest resources.
Moreover, this area is located at the junction of cold and warm current , which is very suitable for the growth of marine life and is of great help to the development of fishery. Also based on the junction of cold and warm currents, geothermal resources are also very rich.
In short, the four northern islands are a shining treasure house. As neighboring countries, Russia and Japan have recognized the value of this place very early.
The four negotiations between the two countries
Everything has to go back to Japan’s Meiji Restoration period. Because we referred to successful cases in other countries, the rectification was very successful.
Social and economic aspects have been greatly improved compared to before. At this time, the situation in Tsarist Russia was opposite. Because the Tsarist Russia at that time had its own governance problems, which led to people's livelihood being difficult and the current situation complicated and turbulent.
The current situation in Tsarist Russia gives Japan hope. As a result, the Russo-Japanese War began. Finally, after several months of fighting, Japan occupied the four northern islands and the southern part of Sakhalin . This is one of the few unequal treaties signed by Tsarist Russia .
Since then, four negotiations have begun.
The first negotiations took place near the end of World War II. During that time, Germany had surrendered, but Japan was still resisting. In order to end this war as soon as possible, the United States met with Soviet leaders. As a result of the meeting, the two countries would unite to fight against the enemy, and the four northern islands would be handed over to the Soviet Union.
However, after the end of World War II, the United States played word games and refused to admit that it had promised to return all the four northern islands. Of course, the Soviet Union was not someone to be trifled with, and directly led its troops to occupy the four northern islands.
Although the United States and the Soviet Union were the world's largest powers at the time, , after experiencing the world war, all aspects were affected and the social situation needed to be readjusted, so no one took any further action.
The Soviet Union also offered to hand over half of the four northern islands to Japan, provided that the other half belonged to the Soviet Union.Seeing that the Soviet Union's attitude was relatively peaceful, when the leaders of the two countries were about to sign the contract, something unexpected happened.
At this time, the rise of the Soviet Union allowed other countries to see the potential of the proletariat . New China is such a country. The Soviet side is naturally happy to see that it has one more helper.
As a result, the Soviet side gave up signing the contract and not only heavily guarded the four northern islands, but also placed its country's reform-through-labor prisoners on this island.
The second negotiation took place after the end of World War II. After the end of World War II, the Soviet Union and Japan had the idea of easing relations. Therefore, in 1955, the Soviet leader Khrushchev decided to hand over two of the four northern islands to Japan.
Firstly, it is to ease conflicts, and secondly, it is to drive a wedge between Japan and the United States.. However, even if the two parties are intentional, they cannot withstand the obstruction of the United States. In the two crashes that occurred during this period, the Soviet Union's tough attitude made the United States very dissatisfied.
Therefore, the United States tried its best to obstruct it and supported Japan in taking the initiative on the four northern islands. However, the United States only paid lip service to it because at this time, the United States was still thinking about dealing with the Soviet Union. After several days of verbal clamoring, both parties finally settled the matter.
The third negotiation took place during the period when Japan became a puppet state of the United States.. The contract signed by the United States and Japan is nominally for the United States and Japan to help each other. In fact, the United States almost controls Japan's national military power, and Japan becomes a puppet state of the United States.
In 1960, the Soviet Union proposed a condition, and if accepted, it would return the four northern islands. As long as Japan is willing to evacuate all foreign troops stationed in Japan, two of the four northern islands can be given to Japan.
This negotiation condition stumped the Japanese side, and Japan never dared to agree. At that time, Japan's military power was already in the hands of the United States. In other words, Japan had almost lost its right to be the master of its own country. The United States would interfere in all Japanese affairs.
Obviously, the US will not agree. Because the United States will never lose its control over another country because of Japan's own affairs. This is not worth the gain. Therefore, the Japanese side could only feel aggrieved. Even if they were willing to agree to the Soviet Union's request, they could only resolutely disagree.
The third negotiation was the most likely negotiation , but Japan ultimately missed this opportunity due to its own problems.
The last negotiations took place after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Russian leader proposed to give half of the four northern islands to Japan, as long as Japan recognized Russia's ownership of other lands.
However, the Japanese leaders at that time were still hesitant. Because Japan's comprehensive national strength at this time is much better than before. Therefore, Japan still wants to fight a long-term war.
However, the Russian leaders did not think so. decisively proposed that the four northern countries were Russian territory. would not discuss this issue again in the future.
Now, the territorial rights of the four northern islands are still in the hands of Russia. As for when Japan can own half of the four northern countries, according to the current situation, it should still be unknown.
Perhaps only when Japan has sufficient reciprocal interests , will Russia let go of again. We can only wait and see.
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