Japan has tightened up its economic sanctions against Russia because of Moscow’s meddling in Ukraine’s civil war, now blocking five top Russian banks from certain activities in Japan and limiting arms exports.  Tokyo had initially tried lighter sanctions that those leveled by the US, Europe, and Australia – but then, Russia aggravated an old territorial dispute.

Two Russian officials – including a top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin – visited disputed islands in the far north off Hokkaido that were seized by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II. 

“A visit like this hurts the Japanese people’s feelings and is extremely regrettable,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, who protested to Moscow.  The new, tougher sanctions put Japan’s response to Russia in-line with the rest of the G-7.

Meanwhile, NATO says it has seen a “significant” drop in the number of Russian troops in eastern Ukraine. 

“There has been a significant pullback of Russian conventional forces from inside Ukraine, but many thousands are still deployed in the vicinity of the border,” said NATO Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jay Janzen.  But he added, “Some Russian troops remain inside Ukraine.  It is difficult to determine the number, as pro-Russian separatists control several border crossings and troops are routinely moving back and forth across the border.”

There are still reports of shelling around Luhansk and Donetsk, despite the “cease-fire” that went into effect on 5 September.