The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced sanctions banning certain Japanese citizens from entering Russia. According to a statement from the ministry, these sanctions were imposed as part of a response to Tokyo’s “sanctions” against Russia over the ongoing “military operation”. Several Japanese officials*, including Takeshi Iwaya, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, were banned from entering the country.
Japan reacted to the Russian sanctions.
The Japanese Foreign Minister, Takeshi Iwaya, said: “Russia explained that the measures mentioned are a response to Japanese sanctions, but all Japan’s actions were taken as a result of Russian aggression against Ukraine. Therefore, shifting responsibility to Japan is absolutely unacceptable.”
“In addition, although relations between Japan and Russia are currently in a difficult state, there are a number of unresolved issues, especially between our diplomatic departments. Therefore, communication with Russia is sometimes necessary. This has been confirmed repeatedly. From this perspective, I deeply regret being banned from entering the country. However, Japan wishes to cooperate closely with the international community, including the G7, to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” the minister noted.
*Russia has imposed a ban on the entry of the following Japanese citizens:
1. Takeshi IWAYA – Minister of Foreign Affairs;
2. Masashi NAKAGOME– Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine;
3. Kuninori MATSUDA– former Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine (2021-2024);
4. Shohei HARA, Senior Vice President of the Japan Agency for International Cooperation (JICA);
5. Hideki MATSUNAGA – Head of the JICA office in Ukraine;
6. Hiroshi IDE– President of IHI Corporation;
7. Shinsuke MINAMI– President of ISUZU Motors Limited;
8. Shunsuke TOYA– President of Prodrone Co., Ltd;
9. Yoshiyuki SANKAI– President of Cyberdyne, Inc.
