Japan Slams Russia for Banning 30 Citizens Amid Heightening Tensions

Post by : Raina Nasser

Tokyo, Japan — The Japanese government has vocally denounced Russia’s recent decision to extend its entry ban to an additional 30 Japanese nationals, calling the move “entirely unacceptable.” This announcement, made on November 11, is in direct response to sanctions imposed by Tokyo on Moscow due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which is now approaching its fourth year.

Among those affected by the ban are Toshihiro Kitamura, a representative from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with numerous journalists, academics, and officials. The Russian Foreign Ministry has indicated that these individuals are now part of an “indefinite prohibition list.”

Japan's government reacted quickly, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara expressing disappointment over this retaliatory act during a press briefing on Tuesday, underscoring the importance of maintaining exchanges between citizens for the sake of bilateral relations.

“Japan expresses its protest against this regrettable decision by Russia. This action is unacceptable,” Kihara stated. “Moscow must not shift responsibility for its invasion of Ukraine onto innocent parties.”

In September 2025, Japan implemented further sanctions targeting Russian companies and individuals, paralleling actions by its Western allies. These included constraints on financial dealings and a reduced cap on Russian seaborne crude oil imports.

In retaliation, Russia has announced several rounds of entry bans and other sanctions aimed at Japanese officials and civilians due to Tokyo’s actions.

Amid escalating diplomatic strain, Japan continues to rely on energy imports from Sakhalin, a Russian island integral to its energy security. This has raised alarms in the United States, which has called on its allies to limit energy dealings with Russia to pressure the Kremlin.

When questioned about the impact of Britain's ban on Russian gas shipment insurance on Japan’s energy supplies from Sakhalin, Kihara declined to provide specifics, only indicating that Tokyo would respond “appropriately to maintain peace in Ukraine while safeguarding national interests.”

This latest incident reflects the growing diplomatic discord between Tokyo and Moscow as Japan seeks to support Ukraine while managing its energy dependency on Russia.