On November 5th, local time, Russian President Putin signed a presidential decree to place the relevant assets of Japan Tobacco International in Russia under the temporary management of Russian companies. The assets involved include four companies in which Japan Tobacco International holds shares in Russia.
According to data released by Japan Tobacco Company, its subsidiary Japan Tobacco International began operating in Russia in 1999. Currently, the company has four production bases in Russia. Japan Tobacco has long been one of the main producers of tobacco products in Russia. According to estimates, by the end of 2025, its share of the Russian tobacco market will be approximately 36.9%.
On November 6, the Japanese government protested this matter. Yoshihara Minoru, the Chief Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan, stated that the Japanese government had expressed its protest to Russia through diplomatic channels and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the related measures, in order to ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of Japanese citizens and enterprises are not violated. Shioda Ryosuke, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, also said that Japan had requested Russia to immediately reverse its decision. Minister of Finance Katsumi Shibata stated that he would work closely with relevant departments and the Japan Tobacco Company to properly handle the situation.
According to CCTV International News, in April 2023, Putin signed a presidential decree stipulating that assets of non-friendly countries in Russia would be temporarily taken over when those assets are seized or their rights are restricted. Zhatarova, a spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commented on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website on October 5th, stating that Russia would respond to Japan's unfriendly measures with reciprocal actions, targeting first those areas where Japan has significant interests.
