Russia bans Japan’s foreign minister in retaliation for Ukraine sanctions

By Alperen Aktas​​​​​​​

ISTANBUL (AA) – Russia on Monday announced a permanent entry ban on Takeshi Iwaya, Japan’s foreign minister, citing Tokyo’s continued sanctions on Moscow over the continuing Ukraine war, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The move, part of Moscow’s retaliatory measures, also blacklists Japan’s Ambassador to Ukraine Masashi Nakagome, former Ambassador Kuninori Matsuda, and senior officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Additionally, executives from major Japanese corporations, including the IHI Corporation, ISUZU Motors, Prodrone, and Cyberdyne, are among those banned.

Moscow accused Tokyo of following an “anti-Russian course” under Western pressure and warned of further consequences if Japan continues its restrictive policies.

Japan has imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Russia since 2022, when the three-year-old Ukraine war began, targeting officials, financial institutions, and key industries over the war.