China is powerful and Russia has the potential--even if only through nukes now--to worry China. So this is obviously worth a shot:
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, hours after joining fellow industrial powers in threatening further sanctions against Russia, said on Thursday that he wants to maintain good relations with Moscow. ...
"I want Russia to be involved in various issues concerning the international community in a constructive manner. That’s what the world desires too. To this end I’m hoping to continue dialogue with President Putin.”
But look who Putin is courting as a friend:
Angry with the West's response over Ukraine and eager to diversify its options, Russia is moving rapidly to bolster ties with North Korea in a diplomatic nose-thumbing that could complicate the U.S.-led effort to squeeze Pyongyang into giving up its nuclear weapons program.
North Korea is a loose cannon threatening Japan. So this balancing act will be tough.
Unless Russia manages to completely replace China as North Korea's protector and get North Korea to view China as their primary enemy, Putin isn't going to be the ruler to create a Japanese-Russian entente in Northeast Asia.
Maybe when the old Soviet hands pass from the scene, there will be potential.
