The first diplomatic and trade treaty between Japan and Russia signed

On January 26 (February 7), 1855 in the city of Shimoda (Japan) was signed the first diplomatic and trade treaty between the Japan and Russia – the Treaty of Shimoda which took effect on November 25 (December 7), 1856.

From the Russian side the negotiation were carried on by the general-adjutant Euphimy Vasil’evich Putiatin. The Japanese side was represented by Toshiakira Kawaji.

Under the treaty which consisted of 9 articles, between Russia and Japan were established ‘the constant peace and sincere friendship’. For the subjects of each country was provided the personal security and their property inviolability in the territory of the foreign state. Three Japanese ports – Hakodate, Nagasaki and Shimoda were opened for the Russian ships. The commercial deal were accepted there but in limited volumes and under the Japanese officials supervision. In these open ports the Russian citizens had the exterritorial right. In the territory of one of the ports the Russian consul was provided.

The treaty stipulated the Russo-Japanese border. In the course of the negotiations Putiatin proceeded from the assumption that the South-Kuril Islands historically belonged to Russia. But due to the unfavorable international situation provoked by the Crimea war, the islands of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and a group of Khabomai islands went to Japan.

Sakhalin was announced the undivided demilitarized zone meeting the interests of Russia which continued to effectively colonize the island. Japan at the moment had no such a possibility due the absence of fleet. Later it started to populate intensively the territory of Sakhalin making thus the issue of its ownership quite acute.

Under the St.-Petersburg treaty of 1875, Sakhalin was given over to Russia in exchange for 18 Kuril Islands. As a result of the Russo-Japanese War of 1905 (the Treaty of Portsmouth), Russia ceded the southern half of Sakhalin to Japan (up to the 50th parallel). In 1946 after the end of World War II, in accordance with international agreements Southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands became part of the USSR, but Japan still continues to claim these territories to this day.

Lit.: Документы для сборника материалов по истории территориального размежевания между Россией и Японией [Электронный ресурс] // Посольство Японии в России. Б. д. URL: http://www.ru.emb-japan.go.jp/RELATIONSHIP/MAINDOCS/1855.html#7; Кошкин А. Уступка русского посланника (к 150-летию первого российско-японского договора) // Государственная служба. 2005. № 1(33); Кузнецов А. П. Вклад И. А. Гошкевича в становление русско-японских соглашений в XIX в. СПб., 2007; Синодский договор между Россией и Японией // Ключников Ю. В., Сабанин А. Международная политика новейшего времени в договорах, нотах и декларациях. Ч. 1. М., 1925; Шишов А. В. Россия и Япония. История военных конфликтов. М., 2001. Ч. 1, гл. 1; То же [Электронный ресурс]. URL: http://militera.lib.ru/h/shihsov_av/01.html.

Based on the Presidential Library’s materials:

Еллинский Б. Сахалин: чёрная жемчужина Дальнего Востока. М., 1928;

The USSR and Japan signed the Basic Convention // On this day. 20 January.