Russia has banned 13 Japanese citizens from entering the country, including the chairmen of Toyota and Viber. The move comes in retaliation for Tokyo’s sanctions against Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.
The list of individuals prohibited from entering Russia includes Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, Viber Rakuten Group CEO Hiroshi Mikitani, and Japan International Cooperation Agency President Akihiko Tanaka, among ten other business executives.
The move was decried by Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, who claimed that the ban “limits Japanese companies’ legitimate activities (in Russia), and is absolutely not acceptable.” The Japanese government has lodged a protest with Russia over the step, he added.
Japan has imposed an array of sanctions on Moscow since the escalation of Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022. The measures target exports of high-tech products and cars, as well as energy imports. In total, Tokyo’s sanctions are estimated to have affected more than 1,000 people and over 150 entities from Russia.
Tokyo sealed a ten-year security deal with Ukraine in June, pledging to provide $4.5 billion in aid for Kiev this year. Japan has also said it will supply Kiev with non-lethal equipment and provide help in treating wounded Ukrainians.
Russia has condemned “illegal” Ukraine-related sanctions imposed by the West and its allies. Commenting on the restrictions introduced by Tokyo in April, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Japan had taken an “unfriendly” stance against Moscow by siding completely with the West.
In May 2022, shortly after Tokyo introduced the first sanctions, Russia announced an entry ban for 63 Japanese individuals, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and government representatives. Two months later, 384 Japanese House of Representatives lawmakers were added to the list.
Moreover, Moscow has ended all talks on a potential peace treaty with Japan, with the pair never having signed an agreement after World War Two. Russia has also canceled an agreement that allowed Japanese citizens to visit the Kuril Islands visa-free.