The Japanese government has voiced its protest over Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Etorofu Island in the Southern Kurils (referred to as the Northern Territories by Japan). However, as the editorial points out, if the response stops at protest alone, Russia will have little incentive to reconsider its actions.
Conversely, going too far in the direction of symbolic retaliation—such as suspending dialogue entirely—would not serve Japan's interests either. The key is to make Russia understand that exerting pressure on Japan in the disputed territories cannot change Tokyo's policy.
The editorial stresses that Japan must maintain a firm stance of pressuring Russia while also increasing support for Ukraine amid current geopolitical tensions. Maintaining a balanced approach—assertive on principle yet preserving necessary channels of dialogue—is seen as the appropriate course to protect national interests.
