Tokyo is rushing troops and firepower to Hokkaido as fears grow that Russia could spark a second front in the Far East while the world watches Ukraine.

Russia has parked advanced Su-35 fighters and anti-ship missiles on the disputed Kuril Islands right off Japan’s coast. Moscow even flexed Kinzhal hypersonic missiles nearby this spring. Japan’s Defense Minister just toured northern bases and made it clear: the country must keep ironclad defenses there against Russian moves and Chinese pressure.

Despite its pacifist constitution, Japan is done pretending. It’s racing to build long-range counterstrike missiles and doubling its defense budget. Drills now focus on rapid north-south troop shifts to counter any diversionary attack on Hokkaido.