Russia Bans Entry of Japan PM, Ministers

Russia’s foreign ministry on Wednesday imposed sanctions against 63 Japanese officials, journalists, and professors for engaging in what it called “unacceptable rhetoric” against Moscow.

The entry ban list included Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, among other officials.

Moscow has recently banned Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and nearly 600 other people from entering its territory. In like manner, more than two-dozen U.S. citizens, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg are banned from entering Russia.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was also banned from entering Moscow “in view of the unprecedented hostile action by the British Government, in particular the imposition of sanctions against senior Russian officials,” the Foreign Ministry said, adding that it would expand the list soon.