ABSTRACT
Japan and Russia are two countries that are on paper vastly different. One is a multiethnic nation that is also a vast continental power, with seemingly no maritime tradition.1 The other country is a homogeneous island-nation that by geographical necessity lives by maritime trade and by what the sea produces. Japan is known for its innovation and adaptability; Russia is often viewed as being slightly behind the times (especially in comparison to its European neighbors) and perhaps too closely tied to its history and traditions. While Japan had the luxury several times during its ancient and modern history of shutting itself off from the rest of the world, Russia has often been at the mercy of hostile neighbors, and has never had the luxury of remaining isolated from the world. Russia has in the last few centuries been preoccupied with events in Europe. Japan has, and always will be, fi rst and foremost an Asian country. Little seems to tie the two nations together other than geography: Russia is Japan’s closest neighbor.
