The Russian naval exercises that are expected to start soon will be conducted in the waters around Japan. It would be helpful for Japan to thoroughly interfere with these exercises, including by performing reconnaissance.

　For one, the interference itself will send a political message that invasions will not be tolerated. More importantly, it will help prevent Russia from moving its forces in the Far East towards Ukraine.

　Rather than reassure Russia by continuing negotiations for a peace treaty, Japan should take actions like this to make Russia uneasy about the Far East, drawing its attention from Ukraine.

What Japan and Ukraine have in common

　Northern Territories Day is observed on February 7th each year, and for the past several years, demonstrations by Ukrainians have been held around the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Embassy in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, pressing for the return of the Northern Territories to Japan. This is because, just as Japan lost the Northern Territories to Russia, Ukraine has lost Crimea and its eastern region to Russia.

　As countries that have both lost territory to Russia, Japan and Ukraine are in a position to cooperate with each other. However, the Japanese media rarely report on our shared interests.

　At the end of 2018, I published a novel  in which Japan and Ukraine cooperate diplomatically and militarily to counter a Russian plot. I modeled one character on Shigeki Sumi, who was the Japanese ambassador to Ukraine. When I spoke to him later, he told me that the novel had become a hot topic within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Unfortunately, Japan's approach to diplomacy remains one where they continue to negotiate for a peace treaty despite the imminent conflict.

　With Ukraine on the verge of being invaded again, Japan must join other countries in condemning Russia to prevent the Northern Territories from being fixed as Russian territory.