Japan Memo
Japan’s challenges amid growing cooperation between Russia and China with Professor Takahara Akio, Dr Elizabeth Wishnick and Dr Catherine Jones
Mar 4, 2025
Join Robert Ward and guests Professor Takahara Akio, a University of Tokyo expert on Chinese diplomacy, Dr. Elizabeth Wishnick, a senior research scientist focused on Sino-Russian relations, and Dr. Catherine Jones, a security lecturer at St Andrews. The trio discusses the implications of the deepening Russia-China partnership, especially in light of the Ukraine conflict. They delve into Japan's security challenges, the need for stronger U.S. ties, and the delicate geopolitical balancing act Japan faces with China and Russia. A vibrant exploration of a complex landscape!
47:40
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Quick takeaways
- Japan's security concerns are escalating due to intensified Sino-Russian military cooperation near its territorial waters and the emerging partnership's implications.
- Despite the apparent unity between China and Russia against the U.S., their long-term foreign policy goals diverge, complicating their relationship.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Sino-Russian Relations
Sino-Russian relations have undergone significant changes since the fall of the Soviet Union, characterized by a partnership that has evolved over the years. Following a history marked by turbulence, the two countries established crucial agreements to enhance cooperation, such as the Partnership of Strategic Coordination in 1996 and the Treaty of Good Neighborliness in 2001. Recently, the relationship has intensified, especially after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with China and Russia declaring a 'no-limits partnership.' Despite this camaraderie, experts elucidate that the relationship is driven by mutual interests, particularly as both leaders aim to confront the United States, yet underlying tensions persist.
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