An original book that reviews the problems of political rapprochement in terms of foreign policy decision-making between Japan and Russia since 1945, including the infamous 'Northern Territories' dispute. Uses four bilateral summits as case studies to explore patterns, changes and tendencies in the decision-making process. Concludes that much of the Cold War system of relations between the two states still remains in place at the end of the twentieth century.

Introduction PART I Genesis of the 'Northern Territories' problem and post-war Japanese-Soviet relations 1 The key issue: the background to the 'Northern Territories' problem 2 Hatoyama's visit to Moscow, 1956 PART II Efforts for a peace treaty: summit meetings after diplomatic Restoration 3 Tanaka's visit to Moscow, 1973 4 Gorbachev's visit to Tokyo, 1991 5 Yeltsin's visit to Tokyo, 1993 Conclusion