 "Russia bans entry of Japan's foreign minister, eight others over Ukraine sanctions")
Russia has permanently barred nine Japanese citizens from entering the country, as announced in a list released by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday.
The ministry stated that the ban is a direct response to Japan’s sanctions against Russia over the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Among those listed are Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwai, Isuzu President and Representative Director Shinsuke Minami, and Shohei Hara, Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
This move follows a similar action in late July 2024, when Russia banned 13 other Japanese nationals, including the chairman of Toyota Motor. Tokyo has previously protested against such measures.
Entry bans for foreigners are a common measure employed by Moscow in retaliation for sanctions or other opposition against Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.
Similar lists exist for several countries, including the U.S. and Canada and include hundreds of people.
With inputs from agencies