War: Russia hits back at Japan, bans Prime Minister, 62 others indefinitely

Russia has banned 63 Japanese citizens, including the country’s Minister Fumio Kishida, from entering Russia ‘indefinitely’.

CNN quoted state news agency RIA Novosti is reporting that members of Kishida’s cabinet including Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, and Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki have also been barred from entering Russia

Also banned are members of the parliament and the military.

“The administration of Fumio Kishida launched an unprecedented anti-Russian campaign, allows unacceptable rhetoric against the Russian Federation, including slander and direct threats,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to RIA.

“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 since March announced a series of sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

Japan’s action against Russia include freezing the assets of President Vladimir Putin and his family members.

Moscow had last week warned Japan of “retaliatory measures” if it expands joint naval exercises with the United States of America near Russia’s eastern borders.