Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's whirlwind trip to Brussels to meet U.S. and European leaders was the latest sign that Tokyo is committed to working with allies and partners to decisively respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Japan's tough line contrasts with its tepid response to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, reflecting its concern that any tolerance of the Kremlin's attempt to alter the status quo by force could only embolden China, which has grown more assertive in the Indo-Pacific.
But questions remain over whether the unprecedented level of sanctions unleashed by the world's leading democracies will pressure Russia to give up on its monthlong invasion, or whether it will help deter what could be the next Ukraine: Chinese military action against Taiwan.