Russia bans 30 Japanese citizens indefinitely over Ukraine sanctions

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially announced an indefinite ban on entry for 30 Japanese citizens in response to Tokyo’s sanctions against Moscow over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

According to official data, the majority of people on the list are journalists and professors at Japanese universities. The only official in the list was the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Toshihiro Kitamuro.

The Russian agency said the ban is indefinite and is meant to respond to Japan’s actions.

The statement also explained that the move is tied to Japan’s sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Japanese sanctions list was last expanded at the beginning of autumn. It is noted that at the end of October a new government was formed in Japan, and at the first press conference of the new Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, he stated that Tokyo would continue to support Ukraine. It is also noted that Japan will not abandon the Russian project “Sakhalin-1” despite U.S. sanctions.

Context and consequences

The statement emphasizes that the actions of both countries occur in the context of the dispute over aggression against Ukraine, and Moscow justifies them as a response to Western restrictions.

“For the quickest possible end to the fighting, we will continue decisive actions against Russia, including imposing sanctions,” he said.