Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Russia Extends Entry Ban on 30 Japanese Citizens; Tokyo Protests
Imagine two countries, Russia and Japan, are disagreeing.
Japan placed some rules, called sanctions, on Russia because of a war Russia started in Ukraine.
Russia is now responding by saying that 30 more people from Japan, like government workers and reporters, are not allowed to visit Russia anymore.
Japan thinks this is a very bad move and told Russia it's not acceptable.
Japan also said that it's important for people from both countries to be able to visit each other.
Russia says its ban is a reaction to Japan's sanctions.
Russia has added 30 Japanese citizens, including a foreign ministry spokesperson, journalists, and academics, to its list of those facing an indefinite entry ban.
The move by Russia is a retaliation for sanctions previously imposed by Japan on Russian companies and individuals.
Japan has protested Russia's decision, calling it 'absolutely unacceptable' and 'regrettable'.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary stated that people-to-people exchanges remain important and accused Moscow of shifting blame for its invasion of Ukraine.
The entry ban is described as an 'indefinite prohibition'.
- Who
- Russia (Foreign Ministry) and 30 Japanese citizens, including a foreign ministry spokesperson, journalists, and academics.
- What
- Russia extended its entry ban to 30 more Japanese citizens; Japan protested the move.
- When
- Tuesday (announcement of ban); Wednesday (Japan's protest).
- Where
- Russia (imposing ban); Tokyo (Japan's protest).
- Why
- Russia's action is in retaliation for Japan's sanctions against Russian companies and individuals over the war in Ukraine. Japan's sanctions were imposed due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Russian Stance
Japanese Stance
Reason for Entry Ban
Russian Stance
The entry ban is a retaliatory measure against sanctions imposed by Japan on Russian companies and individuals.
Japanese Stance
Japan views the ban as an unacceptable move and believes Russia is shifting blame for its invasion of Ukraine.
Importance of People-to-People Exchanges
Russian Stance
Not explicitly stated, but implies a willingness to restrict such exchanges in response to sanctions.
Japanese Stance
Japan emphasizes that people-to-people exchanges between the two countries remain important.
- Russian Action
- Extended entry ban to 30 more Japanese citizens.
- Affected Japanese Individuals
- Includes a foreign ministry spokesperson, journalists, and academics.
- Japanese Response
- Protested the move, calling it 'absolutely unacceptable' and 'regrettable'.
- Background
- Japan imposed sanctions on Russia in September in response to its war in Ukraine.
- Duration of Ban
- Indefinite prohibition.