The Japanese government said it had protested against Russia's announcement that it would permanently ban 13 Japanese nationals, most of whom are executives of major companies including Toyota Motor Corp, from entering the country in retaliation for Japanese sanctions over Russia's nuclear program.
TOKYO — The Japanese government said Wednesday it had protested against Russia's announcement that it would permanently ban 13 Japanese nationals, mostly executives of major companies including Toyota Motor Corp., from entering the country in retaliation for Japanese sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said, “This will restrict the legitimate activities of Japanese companies (in Russia) and is totally unacceptable.”
Hayashi said his government had protested to Russia over the travel ban.
Hayashi was commenting on the Russian Foreign Ministry's announcement on Tuesday that it would permanently ban 13 Japanese nationals, including Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Toyoda Akio, Rakuten Group CEO Mikitani Hiroshi and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Tanaka Akihiko, from entering Russia.
The reason for selecting those banned from entering the country has not been disclosed.
Japan is working closely with the Group of Seven industrialized nations to impose sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine, amid growing concern about the impact of conflict in Asia, where China has expanded its military presence and threatened to use force to tighten its grip on the autonomous region of Taiwan.
Japan has already faced a series of retaliatory measures from Russia, including the suspension of bilateral talks with Japan on a peace treaty, including negotiations over the disputed islands. Moscow has also announced a ban on the entry of hundreds of Japanese parliament members, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his predecessor.
