China's growing economic and military might may pose a threat to Japan, but it also works in Tokyo's favor when it comes to settling a long-standing territorial dispute with Russia, a former high-ranking diplomat told a recent symposium in Tokyo.
Kazuhiko Togo, who used to be in charge of negotiations over four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido that Japan wants back, said China's growing regional presence is also a threat to Russia, which is therefore seeking to bolster its diplomatic power by improving ties with neighboring nations.
Tokyo should strike while the iron is hot and finally settle the territorial row with Moscow, Togo told the symposium on Russo-Japanese relations.