An Unprecedented Anti-Russian Campaign Has Begun: Russia Bans Entry for Japan's Prime Minister

Russia has imposed entry bans as sanctions against Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and 62 other Japanese citizens. This was stated in a message from the Russian Foreign Ministry released on Wednesday.

“The Fumio Kishida administration has started an unprecedented anti-Russian campaign by allowing unacceptable rhetoric against the Russian Federation, including slander and direct threats. In line with this course, Tokyo is taking practical steps aimed at dismantling friendly ties, harming the Russian economy, and undermining our country's international standing,” the message reads.

The diplomatic mission stated that given Tokyo's current stance and the personal sanctions applied by the Japanese government against Russian citizens, including top state officials, a decision has been made to indefinitely ban entry to 63 citizens of Japan, including Prime Minister Kishida, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, and several other high-ranking representatives. The complete list is available on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website.

Japan had previously adopted several packages of restrictions against the Russian Federation in connection with the situation surrounding Ukraine. In total, more than 500 individuals have been subjected to personal sanctions, including representatives of the country’s leadership, officials, and businessmen.