Soviet Union 1991

The fourth update is complete

The resurgence of the Soviet Union not only made Western Europe feel the pressure from the East, but also made a certain island country that was in a state of panic feel the same strong sense of oppression. [Novel, please search for fast updates] After all, from the early 1980s to the early 1990s, Japan was in a period of rapid economic growth, while the increasingly aging Soviet Red Empire was on the decline. Politically, Japan, which has always wanted to seek a great power status in the Asia-Pacific region, certainly cannot avoid the Asia-Pacific pressure brought by China and the Soviet Union, two political powers.

In 1996, Japan's economy was already very bad. After the rapid rise in the 1970s and 1980s and the stagnation in the early 1990s, Japan's annual economic growth rate remained at around 2% in the mid-1990s. The vicious inflation caused by the collapse of the economic bubble made Japan suffer from the conservative stagnation period. The Japanese Prime Minister changed from Kaifu Toshiki to Hashimoto Ryutaro. In the middle, there were four prime ministers, but no one could solve Japan's current economic problems.

In such an awkward environment, Chairman of the Council of Ministers Rezhkov, who once served as Minister of Finance, is preparing to visit Japan recently, with China, a friendly country between China and Japan, as a matchmaker. At this time, Sino-Japanese relations are still in a honeymoon period, not the era of incompatible quarrels.

When Rezhkov stepped onto Tokyo Narita Airport, his mood was as complicated as that of Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto. It was not because of economic relations, but about the island dispute between Japan and the Soviet Union. From the friction between the Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Soviet Pacific Fleet instigated by the United States at the beginning to the cordial meeting between the Japanese Prime Minister and the Soviet Union, Rezhkov felt that there are only eternal interests but no eternal enemies between the two countries.

Ryutaro Hashimoto met with Rezhkov at the official residence, and the two sides exchanged friendly greetings. At the beginning of the meeting, Rezhkov emphasized that Japan and the Soviet Union are economic cooperation allies, and are also actively seeking further dialogue between the two sides. On the issue of the Southern Kuril Islands, it is hoped that the two sides can put aside the dispute, jointly develop, and achieve further cooperation and dialogue as soon as possible.

Ryzhkov's answer was obviously well thought out. He emphasized the relationship between the Southern Kuril Islands and Japan at the beginning, and first stated the Soviet Union's position. Only when the position is clear can the two sides communicate further. Putting aside the dispute is the premise that the Soviet Union will not solve it by force first, and Ryzhkov knows Hashimoto Ryutaro's personality very well. When he was the Minister of International Trade and Industry, those who could force the other party to surrender with a tough attitude in the US-Japan automobile trade were often soft-hearted.

Ryzhkov's speech to ease the atmosphere at the beginning was particularly useful, and Prime Minister Hashimoto Ryutaro also declared that the biggest progress is that the two sides can understand each other. Although Japan has repeatedly clashed with the Soviet Union on the issue of islands and reefs in the past five years, he hopes that the two sides can open a new chapter in this meeting.

Although both sides pretended to be more eloquent than singing, seeking economic development relations between the two countries is also an important topic. The Soviet Union's electronics industry lags behind the West. Although there are one or two refreshing designs, the overall quality needs to be improved. As for Japan's new electronics industry, it is also developing rapidly. The Soviet Union, which cannot obtain technology from the United States, wants to open up a new breakthrough in Japan.

As for Japan, it is also ambitious to open up the Soviet Union's market, which is like a rich continent that has never been developed, waiting for them to mine.

With both sides having needs, the economic and trade development between Japan and the Soviet Union has been promoted. So Ryzhkov came straight to the point and affirmed the achievements of Japan's electronics industry.

"As a new industry, Japan has done a great job in the electronics industry. It can be said that it is at the forefront of the entire Asia-Pacific region. As the leader of the emerging industry, I think it is necessary for the Soviet Union and Japan to strengthen economic exchanges and cooperation in this area." Ryzhkov glanced at the "swordsman prime minister" and continued to throw out his chips bit by bit.

"If we can see Japanese electronic products enter the Soviet market, I think it will be a win-win situation for both sides. It just fills the gap in the Soviet market, and Japanese electronic products find a new market, which can also alleviate various problems caused by economic stagnation, right?" Rezhkov said.

Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto narrowed his eyes. Obviously, he was moved by Rezhkov's words. This is a huge market. Russia plus a dozen autonomous regions of all sizes is simply a gift specially prepared for Japan to seize the electronic market, and it was delivered to the door by the other party.

Faced with such a heart-warming gift, how could Ryutaro Hashimoto refuse it? However, as an excellent politician, he is certainly not satisfied with letting Japanese products monopolize the Soviet market. He also hopes to obtain preferential policies from the Soviet government from Rezhkov to maximize his benefits.

After hearing the other party's request, Rezhkov did not speak. Is he greedy? No, the pursuit of maximum benefits is nothing but human selfishness.

"Of course, the Soviet Union will appropriately reduce tariffs on electronic products imported from Japan, and there will be other preferential policies. I think there will be special explanations at that time if Japan is willing to accept them." Ryzhkov said, "And the Soviet Union also hopes that Japan can set up joint ventures in the Soviet Union and provide more preferential policies."

"Are you saying that joint ventures still have preferential policies..."

Ryutaro Hashimoto's eyes widened. Ryzhkov simply came to save the Japanese economy. He not only lowered tariffs but also provided preferential policies to joint ventures. Ryutaro Hashimoto didn't know what to say for a while.

Of course, Ryutaro Hashimoto, who has been troubled financially for too long, has forgotten one thing, that is, the delicious cakes placed in front of him are often traps with ulterior motives. However, it is a pity that Hashimoto, who was carried away by joy, Moto Ryutaro now has no time to think about what the Soviet Union is planning behind the scenes.

The purpose of Ryzhkov's visit to Japan was not to bring about economic exchanges and mutual assistance between the two countries, but to lay the foundation for the Soviet electronics industry. As for why Japan was chosen? Who said this country is the only one suffering from economic stagnation and inflation at this time?

Ryzhkov also doesn’t know whether the plan brought by Yanayev will be a stepping stone for the Soviet electronics industry, or whether it will be the final nail in the coffin for the development of Japan’s electronics industry in the Russian market. (To be continued.)