Russia bans entry of Japanese nationals in sanctions retaliation

Moscow has banned entry of a group of Japanese citizens into Russia in retaliation for Tokyo's sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine crisis, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov handed the list of citizens to Japan's Ambassador Tikahito Harada, according to the ministry's website.

The Japanese diplomat expressed his regret over Russia's decision.

In April, Tokyo introduced visa restrictions against 23 Russian citizens, joining western countries in imposing sanctions on Russia .

On Aug. 5, Japanese sanction list was extended to 40 persons from Russia, Crimea and self-proclaimed Lugansk and Donetsk "peoples' republics."
Sources: Xinhua -  globaltimes.cn
22/8/14
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