Toyota Chairman, 12 Other Japanese Business Leaders Banned From Entering Russia, Japan Protest

Japanese government protest Russia’s entry ban of 13 business leaders, including Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda.

Russian Foreign Ministry said the move was taken in retaliation for Tokyo’s sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Japan’s chief cabinet secretary says that the Japanese government has lodged a protest with Russia over the entry ban.

Toyota officially closed its plant in St. Petersburg on 23 September 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The plant, which produces Camry and RAV4 until March 2022, will now be used to produce Russian-made Aurus luxury cars.

Russia has permanently banned 13 senior Japanese business figures from entering the country – a list that included Toyota Motor Chairman, Akio Toyoda, as well as Japan International Cooperation Agency President, Akihiko Tanaka, prompting a protest by Tokyo on Wednesday.

Russian Foreign Ministry said the move was a “response to Japan’s ongoing sanctions against our country in connection with the special military operation.”

Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, condemned Russia’s move, saying that the ban “limits Japanese companies’ legitimate activities (in Russia), and is absolutely not acceptable.”

Hayashi defended the Japanese sanctions on Russia, saying “all of our sanctions stem from Russia’s Ukraine invasion, which is a clear violation of international law,” adding that the Japanese government has lodged a protest with Russia over the entry ban.

Toyota officially closed its plant in St. Petersburg on 23 September 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The plant, which opened on 21 December 2007 and produces Camry and the RAV4 until March 2022, will now be used to produce Russian-made Aurus luxury cars.

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