Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun 
Russian President Vladimir Putin (AP via Kyodo)
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Even as it continues its invasion of Ukraine, Russia is also stepping up its military activities around the Northern Territories. The group of islands is located off the northeast coast of Hokkaido.
On April 16, Russia issued a navigation warning announcing that it would suspend the right of innocent passage for ships from various countries in waters east of Hokkaido, which includes the Northern Territories, until the end of April.
Russia later announced that its military would be conducting live fire exercises in roughly the same area from April 17 to April 24.
Both acts constituted lawless behavior that violated Japan's sovereignty, as the Northern Territories are inherently part of Japanese territory. It was only natural that Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi protested, "Russia's military buildup in the Northern Territories is contrary to our country's position and is unacceptable."
Russia Escalates Military Presence
The area designated by Russia for the live fire exercises is just a stone's throw from Hokkaido. It encompasses the waters surrounding three of the four islands of the Northern Territories, namely Kunashiri, Shikotan, and the Habomai islets.
A defense ministry official says, "We haven't seen such a wide-ranging exercise announced in such close proximity to Japan in recent years."
Russia has not published details about the live fire exercises. However, on April 19, Fuji TV aired footage showing a large ship that appeared to be a Ropucha-class large landing ship capable of landing tanks, anchored in front of Kunashiri.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin's regime also redeployed ground forces that had been stationed in the Northern Territories to fight in Ukraine. Experts believe that Russia intends to use the current exercises to demonstrate that its naval power is still strong.
Unjustified Suspension
On April 17, Russia protested the missile launch drills scheduled to be conducted by the Japan Self-Defense Forces in Hokkaido in June 2025, labeling them a "provocative military plan." The Kremlin appears to be using the JSDF training exercise as a pretext for holding its own live-fire drills — without any legitimate justification.
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea recognizes the right of innocent passage through the territorial waters of other countries, provided it does not threaten the security of the coastal state through armed attack or intimidation. While a coastal state may temporarily suspend innocent passage if deemed essential to its national security, this does not apply in Russia's case.
Russia's suspension of innocent passage is therefore unjustified. Its intent is to conduct live-fire exercises in territory that inherently belongs to Japan but has been illegally occupied by Russia.
Pattern of Provocations
Russia also conducted live-fire exercises for about a month in the waters off Shikotan Island, starting in January 2025. Additionally, it held military drills in the Northern Territories during a memorial service at sea for former residents of the Habomai Islands in September 2024. Similar exercises were also conducted during the US presidential election in November 2024.
Furthermore, Russia has carried out a series of joint naval and air exercises with China in the vicinity of Japan.
May 9 marks the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany. There is concern that Russia may use that occasion to join with China to attempt military intimidation of Japan.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and other Japanese leaders must step up their vigilance and strengthen Japan's northern defenses.
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Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
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