Following Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's Nov. 1 visit to Kunashiri Island, one of the four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido, the Japan-Russia relationship has been in a chilly state. But Japan should carefully watch recent Russian moves and look for a clue to improving ties.
On March 11, less than three hours after the massive earthquake hit northeastern Japan, Mr. Medvedev announced that his country was ready to help Japan. The next day, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said, "Japan is our neighbor, our friendly neighbor, and despite various problems, we have to be reliable partners." He also ordered energy shipments to Japan in view of the nuclear power plant crisis in Japan.
On March 14, Mr. Medvedev and Prime Minister Naoto Kan talked by telephone and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov presented flowers at the Japanese embassy in Moscow, expressing "solidarity with Japan."