Treaty of Shimoda

The Treaty of Shimoda (Russian: Симодский договор or Симодский трактат; jap日露和亲条约Nichiro washin jōyaku ) is a commercial, maritime and border demarcation agreement between Japan and Russia. It was closed in the Japanese city of Shimoda on 7 February 1855. The signatories were for Japan Toshiakira Kawaji and Russia for Admiral Jewfimi Vasilyevich Putyatin.

The contract marks the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A part of the contract specific to the limited opening of three ports Nagasaki, Shimoda and Hakodate to supply the Russian fleet with water and wood.

Furthermore, the agreement laid the course of the Russo- Japanese border fixed: The Kuril Islands, north of and including Urup became Russian territory, the islands south of and including Etorofu declared Japanese territory. The island of Sakhalin was common property. Due to the fact in the following years resulting in disputes between Russian and Japanese settlers the border issue in 1875 specifically regulated by the Treaty of Saint Petersburg.

At the present time the contract is crucial for the Japanese position in Kurilenkonflikt.

Treaty of Shimoda

See also