Japan Weighs Limited Official Trip to Russia to Protect Remaining Corporate Assets

Japan may send government officials to Russia as early as the end of May 2026, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said. The purpose is to maintain communications with Moscow to support Japanese companies that remain in the country. Officials are currently arranging the trip, and representatives of relevant companies may also join depending on the situation.

"It’s necessary to protect the assets of Japanese companies that remain in Russia," the ministry stated in a post on X. To support those efforts, the Japanese government has been making requests and maintaining government-level communications with Russia. The comments appeared in a post published Saturday from the ministry's account.

The statements came one day after Kyodo reported on May 9, 2026, that the Japanese government is planning to send a delegation of firms to Russia to discuss economic issues in anticipation of the war in Ukraine ending. In the same X post, the trade ministry denied the Kyodo report. Japan will continue to coordinate with Group of Seven nations on sanctions against Russia.

"The current situation doesn’t allow for pursuing new forms of cooperation with Russia," the ministry added. The trade ministry posted the statements on X on May 9, 2026. The ministry operates from Tokyo's Kasumigaseki district.

Kyodo first reported on the potential economic delegation to Russia in April 2026. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara denied the plan at that time. The latest Kyodo dispatch prompted the ministry's detailed public response on Saturday.

The ministry's post on X directly addressed both the immediate purpose of any official travel and the broader policy constraints. It emphasized ongoing government-level engagement while underscoring adherence to international sanctions. No new forms of economic cooperation are under consideration.

Japan’s approach reflects the tension between protecting existing business interests and maintaining alignment with allies. The ministry has stressed that any trip would focus narrowly on asset protection and communication rather than broader engagement. Officials continue to weigh the timing and composition of any delegation.