In brief
Vladimir Putin signed a new decree on Friday that expands the seizure of Japan Tobacco assets, following a previous order that targeted four of the company’s Russian units. The latest order places all shares of three units under temporary management by a Russian company, although the rationale behind the action remains unreported. The move is part of ongoing tensions between Russia and Japan over business operations amid sanctions.
Moscow — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed a presidential decree that expanded the seizure of assets belonging to Japan Tobacco Inc. The new order follows a decree issued the previous day that targeted the company’s four units operating in Russia.
According to the decree, all shares in three of the Japan Tobacco units are now placed under “temporary management” by a Russian company. The decree does not detail the reasons for the seizure beyond the broader context of sanctions.
Sources confirm that the decree was published in the official bulletin on Friday, after the earlier decree had already been issued the day before. The earlier decree had listed four units; the new decree extends control to additional shares in three of those units.
Details about the legal basis or motivations for the seizure, and how the move may affect Japan–Russia business relations, remain unreported in the available sources.
Both the Kyodo News report and a recent article from The Standard in Hong Kong, published 10 hours ago, independently report the same decree and its implications, reinforcing the confirmation that the seizure has taken effect.
Observers note that this action follows similar seizures of other foreign companies’ assets in Russia and may further strain diplomatic ties with Japan, though no official statements have been released by the Japanese government yet.
