Japan to Shut All Economic Centers in Russia Amid Deteriorating Bilateral Relations

The Japanese government announced on Wednesday its decision to close all six of its economic centers in Russia amid worsening diplomatic relations following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi highlighted that the centers had "fulfilled their historic roles" in light of the evolving geopolitical landscape.

Hayashi also cited Russia's unilateral suspension of the memorandum of understanding governing these Japan Centers, implemented earlier this year in January, as a significant factor influencing the closure decision. Furthermore, the Japan Center located in Vladivostok recently underwent inspections by the Russian Internal Affairs Ministry on July 30 and August 26, reflecting heightened scrutiny.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry communicated the closure plan to Russian authorities via diplomatic channels on August 27. Established beginning in 1994 across six cities — Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Nizhny Novgorod — these centers were originally created to facilitate economic cooperation by training personnel involved in Japan-Russia trade and investment relations.

This move marks a significant step in Japan's response to ongoing geopolitical tensions and signals a shift in the bilateral economic engagement framework between the two nations.