Russian Visit Upsets Japan

President Dmitri A. Medvedev visited the south Kuril Islands. These islands were seized from Japan during the aftermath of World War II. The Japanese take the visit to mean that the Russians are not interested in fulfilling Japan's wishing of returning those islands back to Japan. It is notable that these islands are rich in natural resources such as oil and vital for Russian trading with select Asian markets. Medvedev has claimed that Russia will invest heavily in the islands to help promote the islands' residents well being. Japan currently has disputes with China over a fishing boat collision and this seems to add to the Japanese frustrations. Japan seems to have a bone to pick with both of the emerging superpowers, but it appears that in both cases their opponent has vowed not to back down. It will be interesting to see how Japan reacts to another deadlock in negotiations and how much more they will allow other nations to do before they snap. If Japan decides it has had enough and goes to war with China or Russia or both, it could be a very short war or a catastrophe of global proportions. Hopefully, these three nations can come to a consensus and avoid war, because I fear that secret alliances will likely be tripped and catastrophe be nearly impossible to avoid.
By: Kyle Coia