Japan's Role in Gorbachev's Agend

This paper assesses the current state of Soviet-Japanese political and economic relations. The impact of Mikhail Gorbachevs new public diplomacy is a key factor to be considered when estimating the likelihood of improved future relations. The Soviets are most interested in expanding economic ventures with Japan, but the controversy over the Northern Territories is a serious impediment to these interests. Finally, the issue of Soviet-Japanese relations is placed into a broader context by examining the role that China plays, both in its own relations with Japan and in terms of the triangular USSR-Japan-China relationship.