Japanese Forest Concessions in Primorye (1922–1925)

Introduction. The study analyzes the activities of Japanese forest concessions in Primorye, and identifies contradictions and features of the Far Eastern concession policy before the restoration of Soviet-Japanese relations. Materials and Methods. The study is based on unpublished archival records found in the Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East. The study uses historical and historical-economic methods (systemic, quantitative, statistical). Results. In December 1922, all concession agreements in effect in the Far East were annulled. In 1923–1924, despite the disapproval of the Main Concession Committee, negotiations were held between entrepreneurs and regional authorities to resume the activities of Japanese forest concessions registered to Russian front men, which resulted in the signing of short-term contracts for the exploitation of Primorye forests. Discussion and Conclusion. In the matter of Japanese concessions, local authorities were guided by economic interests, wishing to attract the missing capital to the regional economy, while the center tried to use them to solve political problems. In general, the activity of concessions can be called twofold. On the one hand, numerous violations were found on the sites. On the other hand, concessionaires came into conflict with regional authorities and the growing state industry. Although concessions were able to bring income to the regional budget, such a policy as a whole did not allow the two tasks set to be fully accomplished – the development of industry and the colonization of the region.