Japan is increasing its defenses on its northern border due to heightened Russian military activity, raising concerns about a potential dual-front war scenario. Analysts suggest Russia's troop movements could be a diversionary tactic.

Japan’s call to maintain “impeccable” defences on its northern frontier reflects Tokyo’s deepening concern over growing Russian military activity in the region, analysts say. They also point to rapid north-south troop deployment exercises as preparation against a potential “diversionary operation” around Hokkaido: a scenario in which Russia could open a second front if Japan were already focused on a crisis with China in the south. During a visit to military bases in Hokkaido on Saturday,...