Tokyo protests against Russia's move to widen entry ban over Ukraine sanctions

Tokyo protests against Russia's move to widen entry ban over Ukraine sanctions
The Japanese embassy in Moscow, Russia March 4, 2025.
Reuters

Japan decried as "absolutely unacceptable" on Wednesday Russia's extension of an entry ban to 30 more citizens, among them a foreign ministry spokesperson, after Tokyo's sanctions over Russia's war in Ukraine.

Following similar moves by Western nations, Japan had placed additional sanctions on Russian companies, individuals and other entities in September, while lowering its cap on Russian seaborne crude.

Russia's foreign ministry issued a list on Tuesday of Japanese added to those facing "indefinite" prohibition.

The new names included the spokesperson, Toshihiro Kitamura, as well as journalists and academics.

Japan says it has lodged a protest against what it's calling the "regrettable" move, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara who told a briefing on Wednesday, adding that people-to-people exchanges between the two countries remain important.

He accused Moscow of shifting the blame for its invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow has taken similar measures against Japanese officials and civilians in retaliation for sanctions.

Japan, however, continues to import energy from the far-eastern Russian island of Sakhalin, despite calls by the United States for allies to sever ties to pressure Moscow.

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