ABSTRACT
A Japan that had settled its territorial dispute and signed a peace treaty would be in a strong position to attempt to draw Russia away from China, thereby increasing China's isolation and encouraging restraint in its actions. Of course, were the Russians rea lly to abandon the key provision of the 1956 Joint Declaration, it would represent a major setback to any hopes they have of signing a peace treaty. Whatever the exact reasons, Vladimir Putin's explicit support for the 1956 Joint Declaration is unusual within Russian politics. Evidence that Russia has indeed moved in this direction can be found in the claims of leading Russian specialists in the field of Japan studies. If Japan wishes to regain any of the disputed islands, it must act quickly to accept the provisions of the 1956 Joint Declaration and express a willingness to end the territorial dispute by signing a peace treaty in return for the transfer of Shikotan and Habomai.
