With Japan eager to make a breakthrough in its stalled territorial talks with Russia during President Vladimir Putin's visit next month, winning U.S. approval — or at least a tacit nod from Washington — is vital to Tokyo's continued engagement with Moscow, which remains under international sanctions over its 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is likely to give Prime Minister Shinzo Abe the go-ahead for advancing negotiations with Russia, American foreign policy experts say, citing Trump's coziness with the Kremlin.
While President Barack Obama has been sharply critical of Putin over issues such as Ukraine, Syria and cyberattacks, Trump has praised Putin as a strong leader and even hinted he might recognize Russia's claim to Crimea.