Russia: Entry of 63 Japanese citizens, including prime minister, has been banned

63 Japanese citizens, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, have been barred from entering Russia “indefinitely,” according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

Members of Kishida’s cabinet, including Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, and Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki, as well as members of the parliament and the military, have been prevented from entering the country.

Russian Foreign Ministry stated, “The administration of Fumio Kishida launched an unprecedented anti-Russian campaign, allows unacceptable rhetoric against the Russian Federation, including slander and direct threats.”

“It is echoed by public figures, experts and media representatives of Japan, who are completely engaged in the attitudes of the West towards our country.”

Japan has imposed a number of penalties against Russia, including freezing the assets of President Vladimir Putin and his family members.