The Russian government signed presidential decrees placing 7 JT Group local subsidiaries under temporary administration. The Japanese government protested and called for the measures to be withdrawn, while a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said they were countermeasures.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova claimed that placing JT (Japan Tobacco) local subsidiaries under the temporary administration of Russian companies was “a countermeasure against hostile actions.” President Putin signed presidential decrees on 5 and 6 November placing a total of 7 JT Group local subsidiaries under temporary administration.
The Japanese government protested the measures and called for them to be withdrawn. At a press conference on the 11th, spokesperson Zakharova criticised Japan for imposing sanctions under pressure from the United States and described the measures as a countermeasure intended to curb the economic impact of the sanctions and protect the interests of Russian companies.
The Russian Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, said it was not involved in drafting the measures. It indicated that it remained willing to engage in dialogue if Japanese companies were prepared to comply with Russian law and fulfil their business and social obligations.
According to Russian media reports, the Russian company handling the temporary administration was established in September 2026, and a former executive of an institution under Russia’s Ministry of Defence is reportedly set to become its president.