Japan Sends Trade Delegation to Russia for First Time Since 2022

A delegation of top Japanese corporate representatives is set to visit Russia on May 26 and 27, marking the first such government-led trade mission since 2022, according to Kyodo News. The trip is being organized by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Multiple government sources told the news agency that the delegation will include major firms such as Mitsui & Co. and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL). Mitsubishi Corporation is also expected to join the mission, alongside other leading Japanese trading companies.

Reports of a planned Japanese trade mission to Russia first surfaced on April 2, but the Japanese government's chief cabinet secretary denied them the following day, stating the reports were unfounded. Kyodo now indicates that preparations have clearly been proceeding behind the scenes since then.

The agency pointed to a recent visit to Moscow by Japanese lawmaker Munio Suzuki, who met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, as evidence of ongoing, non-public efforts.

Japan joined Western sanctions against Russia in 2022 and has since suffered significant financial losses as a result.