Russia says it will take reciprocal countermeasures against Japan's new sanctions
In short
Russia's Foreign Ministry said it will take reciprocal countermeasures against Japan's new anti-Russia measures, first targeting areas of importance to Japan, in a commentary by spokesperson Zakharova published on the ministry's website. Japan's cabinet decided on October 2 to impose additional sanctions, including a ban in principle on providing operation, maintenance, insurance and financing services to 35 vessels Japan links to Russia's so-called “shadow fleet”. Zakharova said the move further worsens already strained Russia-Japan relations and shows Tokyo's foreign policy lacks independence.
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Russia's Foreign Ministry said it will take reciprocal countermeasures against Japan's new measures, first targeting areas of importance to Japan, in a commentary by ministry spokesperson Zakharova published on the ministry's website. Zakharova said Japan's actions show disregard for international law and bilateral agreements, and that Tokyo acts in step with its “like-minded” partners rather than in its own national interest. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Japan's government decided at a cabinet meeting on October 2 to impose additional sanctions on Russia, according to Japanese media cited in the reports. The measures cover 35 vessels that Japan identifies as part of the so-called “shadow fleet” Russia is accused of using to ship crude oil in secret to evade Western sanctions; in principle, Japan will ban providing them with operation, maintenance, insurance and financing services. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
China News Service, an official outlet, reported that Zakharova said Japan announced a 27th round of what she called illegal sanctions on October 2, covering 33 Russian legal entities, nine individuals and several overseas companies, and including restrictions on shipping for the first time. She said Tokyo justified these “hostile actions” with the situation around Ukraine and presented them as a contribution to a peaceful settlement, which she said showed a lack of independence in Tokyo's foreign policy and a blind following of Western allies fixated on inflicting a “strategic defeat” on Russia. In her account, this would not bring lasting peace in Ukraine closer but would push that prospect further away. [ 3 ]
Zakharova said the sanctions would inevitably draw a Russian response targeting areas of concern to Japan, and that the moves further worsen a relationship she described as having “little left”. China News Service, citing Japanese media, said the October 2 decision was the first time the Takaichi government has proactively added sanctions on Russia. [ 3 ]
The documents differ on how the round is quantified: CLS and Yicai reported the measures as covering 35 ships, while China News Service additionally listed 33 entities and nine individuals. None of the documents say what specific countermeasures Russia will take or when, and none report a response from the Japanese government. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The exchange extends a cycle of sanctions and countermeasures between Tokyo and Moscow and adds to the deterioration of bilateral ties that Russian officials themselves describe as nearly exhausted. Russia says its response will focus on areas of importance to Japan, though the documents do not say which. Beyond that, the documents give no basis for assessing wider consequences.
Key facts
- Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova said Russia will take reciprocal countermeasures against Japan's unfriendly measures, first targeting areas of importance to Japan. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Japan's government decided at a cabinet meeting on October 2 to impose additional sanctions on Russia. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The measures cover 35 vessels Japan identifies as part of the so-called “shadow fleet” used to ship crude oil while evading Western sanctions, with services including operation, maintenance, insurance and financing banned in principle. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Zakharova said Japan's actions show disregard for international law and bilateral agreements and further worsen Russia-Japan relations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Zakharova said Tokyo's foreign policy lacks independence and follows “like-minded” partners rather than national interests. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- China News Service, citing Zakharova and Japanese media, said the round covers 33 legal entities, 9 individuals and several overseas companies and includes shipping restrictions for the first time. [ 3 ]
- China News Service, citing Japanese media, said this was the first time the Takaichi government has proactively added sanctions on Russia. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Russia said it will take reciprocal countermeasures against Japan's new measures, focusing first on areas of importance to Japan. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Japan's cabinet decided on October 2 to impose additional sanctions on Russia. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The sanctions cover 35 vessels described as Russia's “shadow fleet”, with services such as operation, maintenance, insurance and financing banned in principle. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Zakharova said the measures disregard international law and bilateral agreements and further worsen Russia-Japan relations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Zakharova said Tokyo's diplomacy lacks independence and follows “like-minded” partners rather than national interests. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- What specific countermeasures Russia will take, and when. The documents say only that Russia will respond and will focus on areas of importance to Japan; no measures or timing are given.
- How the sanctioned targets are counted. CLS and Yicai report 35 ships, while China News Service, citing Zakharova and Japanese media, reports 33 legal entities, 9 individuals and several overseas companies in addition to the 35 ships, leaving the exact scope of the round unclear.
- Whether Japan responded to Zakharova's remarks. No Japanese government comment appears in any of the documents.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Japan's government decides at a cabinet meeting to impose additional sanctions on Russia, including measures on 35 ships and, per Zakharova, 33 legal entities and 9 individuals. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova publishes a commentary on the ministry's website saying Russia will take reciprocal countermeasures aimed at areas of importance to Japan. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- CLS reports the Russian announcement. [ 1 ]
- Yicai reports the Russian announcement. [ 2 ]
- China News Service publishes a Moscow-datelined report with additional detail on the sanctioned targets. [ 3 ]