The Japanese government is preparing to dispatch officials to Russia to assist Japanese companies still operating in the country. This meeting is expected to take place by the end of May, according to the Ministry of Trade.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, the ministry emphasized the need to protect Japanese enterprises in Russia. The officials will coordinate with businesses to establish communication with their Russian counterparts. The ministry noted that representatives from relevant Japanese companies may also participate, depending on the partners involved.
“Japanese government officials plan to travel to Russia, and in collaboration with enterprises, they are in the process of agreeing on the direction for establishing contact with the Russian side. In any case, the Japanese government will firmly support Japanese companies that have already entered the Russian market,”
the ministry stated.
It was clarified that this trip does not aim to foster economic cooperation with Russia. Japan continues to impose sanctions against Russia and adheres to these measures in coordination with G7 countries.
In a related development, Japan recently imported Russian crude oil for the first time in a long while. A tanker carrying the resource docked at the Taiyo Oil refinery in western Japan. This shipment occurred amid energy supply disruptions due to tensions in the Middle East and shifts in global oil trade routes.
Japan's government plans to send officials to Russia to support its businesses operating there, while maintaining sanctions against Moscow. This move comes alongside Japan's recent import of Russian crude oil amid global energy supply challenges.