Russia bans entry to several Japanese journalists including Ukrinform editor

Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced an entry ban for 30 Japanese nationals, most of whom are journalists and Japanese university professors. The only official on the list is the Japanese Foreign Ministry official representative Toshihiro Kitamuro, reports Nastoyaschee Vremya.

In particular, the list includes Takeshi Hirano, Keio University professor and Japanese language editor for the Ukrinform website, according to a Telegram post by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The ban is in effect indefinitely, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, adding that the decision was “a response to Tokyo’s anti-Russian policy,” that is, to the sanctions imposed by Japan over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Japan’s list of sanctions was last expanded in early autumn.

In late October, a new Japanese government was formed. At his first press conference, the new Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tokyo would continue to support Ukraine. “We will continue to take decisive action against Russia, such as imposing sanctions, to bring about an early end to the fighting,” he said.

In 2022, Russia banned entry to 39 Unided Kingdom nationals, including politicians, businessmen, and journalists.