Moscow: Russia said Wednesday that it had banned entry to several dozens of Japanese officials, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, after Tokyo has joined international sanctions against Moscow over its military campaign in Ukraine.
As per the statement released by the foreign ministry, “The administration of F. Kishida launched an unprecedented anti-Russian campaign and allowed unacceptable rhetoric against the Russian Federation, including slander and direct threats.”
The ministry further added, “It is echoed by public figures, experts, representatives of Japanese media, who are completely engaged by the attitudes of the West towards our nation.”
It has alleged Tokyo of taking “practical steps aiming at dismantling good neighbourly ties, damaging the Russian economy and the international prestige of the nation.”
The ministry said it was “indefinitely” banning from Russia 63 Japanese citizens, including the prime minister, cabinet members, lawmakers, journalists and professors.
On April 8, Japan has released a statement mentioning that it would end imports of Russian coal and also made an announcement regarding the expulsion of eight Moscow diplomats over ‘war crimes in Ukraine.
The move comes as Ukraine’s allies increase pressure on Moscow following allegations that Russian troops killed civilians in areas around Kyiv.
The Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, said, “Russian troops have killed civilians, and attacked nuclear facilities, violating international humanitarian law. These are war crimes that could never be forgiven.”
