Russia bans entry of Toyota chief, other Japanese business leaders
July 24, 2024 (Mainichi Japan)
MOSCOW (Kyodo) -- Russia said Tuesday it will ban the entry of Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Akio Toyoda and 12 other Japanese citizens, mainly business leaders, for an indefinite period in response to Japan's sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, prompting Tokyo to lodge a protest.
The entry ban targets individuals such as Rakuten Group Inc. Chairman and President Hiroshi Mikitani and Toray Industries Inc. President Mitsuo Ohya, according to Russia's Foreign Ministry.
The list also includes Akihiko Tanaka, president of the government-backed Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The ministry has not made clear why it chose to add the 13 Japanese nationals to its entry ban list after imposing a similar measure on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Cabinet ministers and other lawmakers, as well as people belonging to media organizations and academics.
In Tokyo on Wednesday, Japan's top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said the step announced by Russia was "totally unacceptable" as it could restrict the legitimate activities of domestic companies.
The chief Cabinet secretary told a regular news conference that the government protested Russia's move, adding that Japan will continue to take all possible measures to ensure its nationals and Japanese firms can continue their activities.
Toyota began auto production in St. Petersburg, the birthplace of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in 2007, but has ended operations in the country since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Regarding Russia's attack, Toyoda said, "I feel strong resentment. War and conflict do not make anybody happy," according to the company in March 2022.