Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu extended an olive branch of peace to the Soviet Union with ill intentions. Just when everyone thought that the Soviet Union would arrogantly reject Japan's goodwill request, the Soviet Union's response once again surprised everyone. Prime Minister Pavlov expressed his intention to visit Japan and conduct friendly consultations on the issue of the Northern Four Islands.
The Slavic people, who have always been known for their toughness and bellicosity, were willing to sit down and negotiate with their old enemies. This once again kept the political aides of various governments busy, as they were all analyzing what the Soviet Union was up to with this move. White House Chief of Staff Samuel Skinner analyzed that the Soviet Union, on the one hand, showed a frightening toughness on the Baltic issue, and on the other hand, showed a completely different gentle side in the island dispute. There are only two possible explanations: the Soviet Union was already strong on the outside but weak on the inside, or the Soviet Union had actually been throwing smoke bombs at the free world to hide its true strength. After all, they were already familiar with this kind of fraudulent means.
At the end of the hot summer, Pavlov flew to Japan on the presidential plane of Ilyushin. Although this move was slightly inconsistent with international practice, Kaifu Junki was satisfied with the Soviet Union's gentleness. When the plane entered Japanese territory, the Self-Defense Forces of the Defense Agency also sent two F16 fighter jets to escort it and lead the plane all the way to Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan.
Sitting in his seat, Pavlov looked at the ever-changing scenery outside the window and could not help but feel a little angry. He had always opposed Yanayev's political show. If something happened to the president, he would be the one to bear the brunt of it. The most fatal thing for the Soviet Union was the loss of an excellent helmsman.
Of course, since Defense Minister Yazov, Air Force Commander-in-Chief Shaposhnikov and Navy Commander-in-Chief Chernavin failed to persuade Yanaev to be stubborn, they had to carry out this "dangerous fashion show" according to Yanaev's plan. When Pavlov asked Varennikov why he didn't persuade Yanaev's reckless behavior, the other party said mysteriously, "Do you really think that General Secretary Yanaev was just in a momentary mood?"
Of course, Yanaev's mood at this moment was probably as nervous as the president who rode the Siberian brown bear. The only difference was that the picture was a spoof, but Yanaev was taking real risks on the edge of another country's waters.
"Prime Minister Pavlov, we have arrived at Narita Airport." KGB agent Andrei Kharkov, dressed in a neat suit, walked up to the Prime Minister and whispered to him that it was time to get off the plane.
Pavlov came back to his senses and nodded to Andrei. He stood up and walked out of the cabin under the escort of a group of bodyguards. After 6 hours of flight, he finally arrived at this warm island country located in the southeast of the Soviet Union. The latitude of the city is much lower than that of Moscow. As soon as he got out of the cabin, the scorching and dazzling sunshine made him feel like he was on a summer vacation in Vladivostok.
The grand guard of honor played cheerful music, and the red carpet was laid from the step where the plane's passenger ladder landed to the end at the feet of Kaifu Junki. Pavlov looked up and saw the Japanese Prime Minister looking at him with a smile, clapping softly, and saying something to the people around him from time to time.
Unfortunately, the noise around was too loud, and Pavlov, who had learned some Japanese at Moscow University of Finance and Economics, couldn't hear what Kaifu Toshiki was saying. After he passed through the neatly dressed guard of honor and came in front of Prime Minister Kaifu Toshiki, Kaifu Toshiki shook Pavlov's hand and said, "Welcome to Japan, Prime Minister Pavlov."
Before anyone around Kaifu could respond or speak, Pavlov took the lead and said in fluent Japanese, "It's nice to meet you, Prime Minister Kaifu. The Soviet Union and Japan are friendly countries separated by a narrow strip of water. This is the second visit of the Soviet Union to Japan this year after our General Secretary Gorbachev. I hope that the relationship between the two countries can become more and more harmonious, and we can jointly consult and make progress on some controversial issues."
The Prime Minister was a little surprised by Pavlov's Russian-style Japanese, but when he heard that controversial issues could be negotiated together, Kaifu Toshiki's eyes lit up. The sharp thinking of a politician made him realize that perhaps this ice-breaking trip could really find a breakthrough in taking back the four northern islands from the Soviet Union.
If the Japanese Prime Minister paid more attention to Pavlov's face at this time, he would have noticed the contemptuous look in his eyes. These words were a trick to confuse Japan. The real purpose would not be revealed until they sat down at the negotiation table.
Yanaev once laughed and made a metaphor to Pavlov: before we show our true colors, we should let the Japanese think that we are a harmless rabbit with eyes only for small money.
The subsequent arrangements were no different from other visits to other countries. To show his hospitality, Kaifu Toshiki took Pavlov to visit the various gardens of the Meiji Shrine. In the shrine gardens, Pavlov admired this oriental building, which was comparable to the Tsar's Palace in Moscow in terms of Japanese history. He also said that if possible, he would also invite Japanese architects to build one in Moscow to express the friendship between the Soviet Union and Japan.
Pavlov's words flattered Kaifu Toshiki. In his mind, this statement was equivalent to a tactful request for a loan from Japan. Of course, Pavlov could not say anything to spoil the fun at this time. He could only follow Kaifu Toshiki's wishes and satisfy his ideas.
This also resulted in one of the most interesting scenes in history, where one leader made some incoherent remarks while the other leader tried desperately to guess what the other was actually thinking, as if he was doing reading comprehension.
Next is Kaifu Toshiki's highlight, and in order to let Pavlov witness the rapid development of Japan's economy in the past decade, he took Pavlov to visit the Tokyo Tower in Japan on this sunny afternoon. From the special observation deck, you can overlook the prosperous scene of the entire Tokyo city.
Pavlov stood on the observation deck and looked down at the entire city. Unlike the depressed and lonely Moscow, Tokyo was like a booming young city with crowded streets, developed transportation, and a modern atmosphere. Tokyo's developed finance and economy attracted elites from all over the world to gather here, turning it into a prosperous metropolis.
The quietly standing steel forest seemed to be silently mocking Pavlov and the socialism he tried so hard to build but could not feed. The oncoming wind from the tall buildings made it impossible for him to open his eyes, and his eyes were a little red.
"How do you feel, Prime Minister Pavlov?" Looking at the silent Soviet Prime Minister, Kaifu Toshiki smiled knowingly. It seemed that he had made the right bet. At this time, the Soviet leaders' appearance in his mind undoubtedly regarded Japan as a trustworthy loan country. As long as these Russians spoke up, the issue of the four northern islands would be much easier.
"Japan's rapid development in recent years has really opened our eyes." Pavlov's shock was truly unprecedented only when he was at the Tokyo Tower. "In the past, our socialist country has always emphasized equality, but has forgotten that economic development and the common prosperity of the people are equally important. Thank you very much, Prime Minister Kaifu Toshiki. Japan has taught the Soviet Union an unforgettable lesson."
In the face of Pavlov's praise, Kaifu Junshu seemed a little flattered. He said modestly, "No, no, everyone knows that the Soviet Union's heavy industry achievements are obvious to all. We also have room for learning."
This time it was not perfunctory admiration, but real heartfelt words. Yanaev had discussed with him the importance of economic development before, but he didn't understand it at that time. Until now, the shock Pavlov received was truly beyond words, and he also understood that Yanaev's actions were well-intentioned.
There was a moment of silence between the two men. The top leaders, each with their own thoughts, stood on the building, seemingly quietly enjoying the scenery and listening to the introductions of the personnel, but in fact they were preparing for the next negotiations. Pavlov looked at the tall buildings outside the window in a hurry, and finally took in all the scenery.
Finally, it was Kaifu Junshu who broke the deadlock. His tone seemed a little cautious, "Comrade Pavlov, how about we have a formal consultation on the island issue after dinner?"
"Sure." Pavlov turned around and said softly, "I think this will be a very pleasant ice-breaking trip."