ABSTRACT
Japan’s autonomous diplomacy had been under the shadow of US foreign policy, and the treaty was an opportunity to carry out an independent initiative. Tokyo was seeking a way of exerting leverage over the USSR. Moscow refused to discuss the territorial issue, while Japan wanted to reopen the question of the northern territories. During the treaty negotiations, Japan was aware of the danger of involvement in the Sino-Soviet dispute via the hegemony clause. It was China’s intention to bring Japan as a major economic power into its anti-Soviet international united front. Japan negotiated the treaty in expectation of economic benefits and political stabilization on the continent. The Japanese government had examined the options when preparing to negotiate with China. The USSR responded to the proposed treaty by announcing its own draft of a Soviet-Japan treaty of friendship and cooperation. Foreign Minister Sonoda continued to interpret the treaty as a benign instrument of peace, stability, and Japanese national interests.
