Japanese officials visit Russia to discuss business environment amid war

Senior officials from Japan's Foreign and Economy ministries visited Russia in late May 2026 for a two-day meeting to discuss the business environment and protect the assets of Japanese companies operating in Russia. The Japanese delegation met with counterparts from Russian ministries to address challenges such as restrictions on money transfers, but emphasized that the visit does not signal a resumption of economic cooperation or a softening of G7-aligned sanctions. Although trade between the nations has plummeted from $20 billion in 2021 to $7.6 billion in 2025 due to the war in Ukraine, Tokyo maintains practical communication to manage corporate interests.