Russia did not give any reason for the selection of the people it had banned.

Japan’s government said it has protested against Russia’s announcement that it is permanently banning 13 Japanese citizens, mostly business leaders of prominent companies including Toyota Motor Corp, in retaliation for Tokyo’s sanctions over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Wednesday the ban “limits Japanese companies’ legitimate activities [in Russia], and is absolutely not acceptable.”

Hayashi said his government has lodged a protest against Russia over the entry ban.

Hayashi was commenting on an announcement by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday that it was permanently banning 13 Japanese people, including Toyota Chair Akio Toyoda and Rakuten Group Inc CEO Hiroshi Mikitani, as well as Japan International Cooperation Agency President Akihiko Tanaka, from entering Russia. The list also included Toyobo Co President Ikuo Takeuchi and Toray Industries President Mitsuo Oya.

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