Japan Protests Russia's Ban on Business Leaders Amid Ukraine Crisis

Japan's government has lodged a protest against Russia's ban on 13 Japanese citizens, including key business leaders, as retaliation for Tokyo's sanctions over the Ukraine invasion. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi criticized the move, which affects prominent figures from companies like Toyota and Rakuten, as unjustifiable.

Japan's government announced Wednesday that it has officially protested against Russia's decision to permanently ban 13 Japanese citizens, mostly comprising business leaders from notable companies such as Toyota Motor Corp. This move is seen as a retaliatory measure against Tokyo's sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that the ban 'limits Japanese companies' legitimate activities in Russia and is absolutely not acceptable.' He confirmed that the Japanese government has lodged an official protest regarding the entry bans.

The announcement from Russia's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday indicated that it is banning 13 Japanese individuals, including Toyota Chair Akio Toyoda and Rakuten Group Inc. CEO Hiroshi Mikitani, from entering the country. The individuals were selected without any specified reasons, and the list also includes Japan International Cooperation Agency President Akihiko Tanaka.

Japan has closely aligned itself with the Group of Seven industrialized nations to impose sanctions on Russia, driven by growing concerns over the conflict's potential impact on Asian geopolitical stability, particularly in relation to China's military expansions and its stance on Taiwan.

Russia has already taken other measures against Japan, such as suspending bilateral peace treaty talks that included disputed island negotiations and imposing entry bans on hundreds of Japanese lawmakers, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and some of his predecessors.

(With inputs from agencies.)