Russia bans Toyota and Viber execs from entering country

Russia has banned 13 Japanese citizens from entering the country, including the chairmen of Toyota and Viber. The move comes in retaliation for Tokyo’s sanctions against Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.

The list of individuals prohibited from entering Russia includes Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, Viber Rakuten Group CEO Hiroshi Mikitani, and Japan International Cooperation Agency President Akihiko Tanaka, among ten other business executives.

The move was decried by Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, who claimed that the ban “limits Japanese companies’ legitimate activities (in Russia), and is absolutely not acceptable.” The Japanese government has lodged a protest with Russia over the step, he added.