Russia ramps up military activities around Japan in ‘sabre-rattling’ move as Tokyo faces energy security dilemma
- Military moves in waters disputed by Tokyo and Moscow come amid Japan’s sanctions against Russia for Ukraine invasion
- Analysts say Tokyo has bigger concerns – how to ensure energy security while keeping pressure on Vladimir Putin to end the war
Japan is keeping a close eye on Russia’s ramp-up in military activities in its Far East region, with Tokyo increasing the number of reconnaissance patrols by its Self-Defence Forces.
The Tsugaru Strait separates Japan’s main island of Honshu and the northern prefecture of Hokkaido, and is considered international waters open to foreign ships. It connects the Sea of Japan to the Pacific Ocean.
Japan’s Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters last Friday the fleet movement was believed to be part of Russia’s ongoing major naval exercises in the region since last month.
He said the exercises are “apparently to show off its naval capability spanning from the East to the West, in unison with the Russian military movement in and around Ukraine,” Kyodo News reported.
The movement of the warships coincided with reports from Russian news agency TASS of the launch of advanced S-300V4 surface-to-air missiles from Etorofu.
