The Mutual Trust Between Russia And Japan From The Perspective Of Diplomatic Culture

The relationship between Russia and Japan is one of the most important bilateral relationships in northeast Asia. Both of the two countries hold important positions in the world, so the relationship between the two not only affects the prosperity and stability of northeast Asia but also influences the whole situation in the world. Due to the above mentioned reasons, it is of great historic and realistic significance to study Russia-Japan relationship.Since the end of WW II, Russia-Japan relationship has experienced many twists and turns. After the disintegration of former Soviet Union, a new era of cooperation in areas of politics, economics, military affairs and cultures between the two counties was ushered in. However, due to disputes concerning fishing and the territory ownership in the north as well as other historic problems, the two countries have not signed the peace treaty yet. Mutual distrust is the major problem in Russia-Japan relationship. And the difference and conflict in their diplomatic culture are the main causes for their mutual distrust.As one part of culture, diplomatic culture shares all the fundamental characteristics of culture. But it also has special features which are decided by diplomacy and are its key features. Those features are determined by the features of diplomacy, and are the core features on the diplomatic culture. Diplomatic culture can be defined in macroscopical (narrow sense) and microcosmic (broad sense) terms. In microcosmic level, diplomatic culture refers to the diplomat's skills and tactics revealed during their diplomatic negotiations. And it can also be reflected in a diplomat's personal charms and qualities which are the results of the influence of his own culture. In macroscopically level, diplomatic culture mainly refers to the unique diplomatic strategy, value orientation and decision making patterns a nation employs in its long term diplomatic practice. From a historic perspective, the macroscopically level of diplomatic culture plays a more important role in international affairs. Mutual trust plays a very crucial role in international relations. However, the building of a firm mutual trust in international intercourse is long and complicated process. Generally speaking, diplomatic culture influences mutual trust in two ways, which are understand and misunderstanding. Understanding will enhance mutual trust while misunderstanding will lead to serious consequences and sabotage mutual trust. The history of Russia-Japan relationship is quite long and generally it can be divided into three stages: the imperial Russia period, the Soviet Union period and the period after the disintegration of Soviet Union. The low degree of mutual trust between the two countries is attributed to many deep-rooted reasons which include both structural and historical conflicts that can not be resolved in a short term. The root of these conflicts is the difference in their diplomatic principles and standards, or we can say it is the conflict between diplomatic cultures. That is the most fundamental and basic reason that is blocking their building of mutual trust.The forming of different diplomatic cultures of Russia and Japan are the results of the following three aspects.Firstly, it is the influence of the two countries'different geographical features. As it is known to all, Russia owns the largest territory in the world, which provides the nation with a large space to exert it diplomatic policies on international stage. Russia is a thalassic country with both sea and continent,while Japan is a typical island country. The main structural contradiction of the two nation's diplomatic cultures lies in their insecure feeling in diplomatic culture. Due to geographical and cultural reasons, Russian people's distrust in the outside world has increased. In order to ensure their safety, all the former Russian emperors have resorted to expanding the country's territory. And the loss of sense of belonging in terms of civilizations also adds to their insecure feeling in diplomatic culture. Japan's insecurity in diplomatic culture also comes from its geographical and cultural reasons. The special geographical location and resource situation has cultivated in the Japanese a sense of crisis and lack of trust in the outside world. Just as Russia, Japan also has identity problems in terms of civilization.Secondly, it is the influence of national character over diplomatic culture. Ultraism is one of the most distinct national characters of Russia. Russian ultraism has led to the changing of Russian diplomatic policies which have brought about changes in Russia-Japan relationships for more than once. Ultrasim is also a distinct feature in Japanese diplomatic culture. It also came into being for the same reasons as Russia did. It is the result of self-conceit and self-contempt in their national characters. Meanwhile, the feminine diplomacy in Japan is also reflection of ultraism. Their aspiration to strength and power also exert its unique functions in diplomatic world. Thirdly, it is the influence of the tradition of diplomatic decision making over diplomatic cultures. Both of the two counties had been closed to the outside world in history. It is a fact that individuals have played important role in Russian diplomatic decision making, which could be seen in Tzar Period, Soviet Union period and also the present Russian period. And the individual role in diplomatic decision making is also the same with the situation in Japan. To sum up, the important individual role in decision making is a prominent feature in the two countries. This unique diplomatic culture to a great extent influences the two nations'relationships. Since this diplomatic culture with individual characteristics is not stable and subject to changes, Russia-Japan relationship is also easily affected by such diplomatic culture.