From: masuda@fcs280b.ncifcrf.gov (Michiaki Masuda)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.japan
Subject: Re: The Northern Islands
Date: 5 Oct 92 19:08:22 GMT
Organization: Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center

In article <1992Oct2.144950.1596@island.COM> fester@island.COM (Mike Fester) writes:
>In article <4007@fcs280s.ncifcrf.gov> masuda@fcs280b.ncifcrf.gov (Michiaki Masuda) writes:
>>In article <1992Sep28.152257.2783@island.COM> fester@island.COM (Mike Fester) writes:

>>>Russia does not have the economic might to start another arms race. However, 
>>>they DO have the nuclear weapons to remain a very dangerous power in unstable
>>>hands.

>>     I still don't see the scenario how the Japanese money or giving up
>>the islands would make the hands stable. Is Yeltsin going to conciliate
>>them with money?

>The money is needed to improve infrastructure, update factories, farming 
>methods, pay off foreign debt, develop resources, etc, in short all the things
>needed to establish a working (and most likely), stable economy. Lack of this,
>and people may decide that a military gov't might be better. 

   From your explanation, I can understand how the Japanese money could
stabilize the hands of farmers, factory workers and merchants. However,
I still don't see how the money stabilizes the hands on the launching
button. My skepticism tells me that some military people might believe
that a military gov't is better anyway.

   As long as nuclear weapons are there, they are dangerous whether the hands
are shaky or not. Japan might be more interested in paying for the Russians'
getting rid of their nukes than just stabilizing the hands.

>??? So basically, how well-informed ARE the Japanese about the pre-1940
>skirmishes? HOw much did you learn about it in high school or college?

   How do the "pre-1940 skirmishes" affect the islands issue? 

>>   Then, how does this sound?
>>Accusing someone of not giving up a claim before examining its legitimacy
>>would not be diplomatic, either.

>Depends. Mexico can "claim" Texas if they like. We (and Texas) are unlikely to
>give the claim much credence. 

   Good. The US gave a significant credence to the Japan's claim.

>In any event, Japan can certainly get the islands back if she wants.

   I'm glad to hear you say, "get the islands 'back'." However, I wonder
why you can be so sure that Japan can get them back. 

>She'll
>just have to pay for them (or wait a LONG time).

  Japan "could" pay for them even though she doesn't have to.

>>>"Thank you" for what?

>>     A cup of nice green tea, of course 8-).
>>     What was he gonna come to Japan for?

>Money.

  Then, he'd better be prepared to say, "Doumo arigatou" for that as well.

>Actually, it hasn't been that big of a deal to THEM (Japan) until just recently.
>Not surprising, then, that no one else cared much about it. 

   The islands issue hasn't been a big deal for Japan? I wonder what made
you have such an incorrect impression.

>They know they've always got something Japan wants. It can be used at any time
>do get some concession, or do generate other forms of income (leasing fishing
>rights, casino construction, etc). If they give the islands back, with nothing
>in return, they've lost a bargainning chip. If they get back on their feet
>without Japan's help, they can be magnanimous and give up the islands gratis.
>If any sort of hostilities break out in the region, the islands make nice
>bases. 

 Unless the islands are no man's land like Antarctica, they should belong to
either Japan or Russia. I don't think there is any other country who could
have a legitimate claim over the islands.

 If the islands belong to Japan, we could justify a kidnapper's act by using 
Fester-san's rationale above.
 If they belong to Russia, they don't have to give them up. They have only to 
convince others that their logic is agreeable and can settle the 
problem. (Actually, the former USSR tried to settle the problem before,
but their assertion was not good enough to make others feel it reasonable.)

Michiaki Masuda
Newsgroups: soc.culture.japan