May 29, 2026
TOKYO – Senior Japanese government officials held talks with Russian officials during a visit to Moscow on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Given the sanctions on Russia for its aggression against Ukraine, the visit was aimed at protecting the assets of Japanese companies in Russia, and both sides agreed to continue talks.
The Japanese officials included Masayoshi Arai, director general of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry’s Trade Policy Bureau, and Masaki Ishikawa, deputy director general of the Foreign Ministry’s European Affairs Bureau.
Ishikawa and other officials told reporters in Moscow on Wednesday that they had met with representatives from Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development and Russian business organizations. The officials said that Japan sought improvements to the business environment and the easing of restrictions on money transfers, while Russia explained relevant systems in Russia. Sanctions also appear to have been discussed during the talks.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa announced the visit to Russia at a press conference on Tuesday, stressing that the purpose was “not to explore new economic cooperation.”
As a member of the Group of Seven advanced economies, Japan continues to impose sanctions on Russia. However, the United States has exempted from sanctions natural gas and oil produced by Sakhalin-2, a project in Russia’s Far East that has received investment from major Japanese trading companies. Given the tensions in the Middle East, discussions may also have touched on ensuring a stable oil supply.