Russian-Japanese Economic Cooperation in Historical Retrospective and Perspective

Abstract

The article analyzes trends in Russian-Japanese economic relations. Areas of interaction include fuel and energy sectors, trade, economic and investment spheres. Far East is the region, where geopolitical and economic interests of countries resonate. Both counties continue to use natural resources, and solve social and economic problems of their peripheral regions. The purpose of the work is to determine promising grounds for Russian-Japanese economic cooperation in the Far East based on an analysis of the Soviet-Japanese experience of cooperation and study of current trends in economic relations between countries. The authors prove that a set of factors that limit implementation of economic projects in the region includes geopolitical, geo-economic and socio-cultural factors. The study’s methodological basis is grounded in historicism and objectivity. To enable a comprehensive examination of the issue in question, the authors employ a set of specific methods, including comparative-historical, problem-chronological, and systemic methods. The influence of cultural and people’s diplomacy on strengthening economic ties between countries is determined. The authors note that Russian-Japanese cooperation continues in mineral mining, trade and economic sectors in the Far East. At the same time, Russian region needs Japanese investments in high-tech industries. Inadequate infrastructure, small amounts of Research and Development activities and a lack of specialists with necessary competencies adversely affect Russian Far East investment image. Enhancing the competitiveness can be positively influenced by strengthening centuries-old traditions of communication between two countries, expansion of intercultural dialogue, which has always been a solid basis for economic interaction at different levels.