Ever since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine last year, Japan has stayed in lockstep with the other Group of Seven advanced nations by steadily ratcheting up sanctions imposed on Moscow.
However, Japan has been compelled to focus on providing Ukraine with nonmilitary assistance, such as financial and humanitarian support, which pales in comparison to the aid supplied by other G7 members. The government is seeking to shape international opinion by providing aid to developing nations and to make its presence felt in efforts by the global community to isolate and pressure Russia.
The invasion of Ukraine marked a watershed moment for Japan's diplomacy with Russia. Even after Russia unilaterally annexed Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula in 2014, Tokyo maintained cooperative relations with Moscow in economic and other fields. This was partly because of concerns that any deterioration in ties with Russia could further complicate efforts to ensure the return of the northern territories off Hokkaido.
