The Kremlin Is Caught Up In A Diplomatic Scandal

• 12.11.2025, 12:36

Japan's chief cabinet secretary has condemned Russian Federation's "pathetic" actions.

Japan has called "absolutely unacceptable" Russia's decision to ban 30 more of its citizens from entering Japan after imposing sanctions against Moscow.

This was reported by Reuters.

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, November 11, announced an indefinite entry ban on 30 more Japanese citizens. The move was Moscow's response to Japanese sanctions imposed over Russia's nearly four-year war in Ukraine.

The individuals targeted by the ban include Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Toshihiro Kitamura, as well as academics: associate professor Yu Koizumi of the University of Tokyo, professor Akihiro Iwashita of Hokkaido University, professor Keyo University Yoko Hirose and visiting professor Takushoku Kenro Nagoshi.

In addition, members of the media, including senior journalists at leading national publications such as the Nikkei Business Daily, as well as former correspondents in Moscow, were among the new "targets."

Also on the list was Takashi Hirano, editor of Ukraine's national news agency Ukrinform.

By the way, this is Russia's first decision to ban Japanese entry since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office last month.

The previous such decision was made by Moscow in March this year.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara condemned Russia's "pathetic" action and emphasized that people-to-people exchanges between the countries remain important. He said the Kremlin was trying to shift the blame for the invasion of Ukraine to others.