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| Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe |
By Clint Richards
The meeting in Beijing could be Abe’s biggest diplomatic coup so far.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s attendance at the APEC summit in Beijing this November is shaping up to be a busy affair. While Abe has been noted for his many state visits abroad, more than any other Japanese prime minister, he has hit a road block in meeting a few key regional leaders. In spite of this, the Japanese government is doing everything in its power to facilitate Abe’s first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as setting up another visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin; Abe’s first since Russia’s annexation of Crimea during the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
While Putin was slated to visit Tokyo at some point his this fall, the trip has become less and less likely as Russia’s involvement in Ukraine has become more apparent and Japan has increased its sanctions on Moscow to show solidarity with its G7 allies. Yet even though Putin’s visit will likely be postponed indefinitely, the two countries are intent on maintaining a baseline of relations in order to continue discussions on the resolution of disputed islands and possible new energy deals.
On Sunday, Putin and Abe spoke with each other over the phone. Local media reported on the fact that Putin’s visit is becoming increasingly unlikely, yet the two expressed interest in holding a summit. According to Japanese state broadcaster NHK, it was Abe who said “he was hoping to hold such a meeting on the sidelines of the APEC meeting in Beijing in November.” The two leaders also spoke about the Ukrainian situation, with Abe explaining Japan’s position and its emphasis on “the importance of the rule of law.”
Read the full story at The Diplomat