My wife Yoko and I were placed under an indefinite entry ban by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On November 11, my wife Yoko and I were placed under an indefinite entry ban by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On the same day, the Russian MFA announced entry bans on 30 additional Japanese nationals. This is the fifth round of such measures taken in retaliation for Japan’s sanctions against Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. With this latest announcement, the total number of Japanese individuals banned has reached 499.

The vast majority of those 499 are members of the National Diet or government officials. The few private citizens on the list have been university professors, major corporate executives, and senior journalists at major media outlets. In that sense, our backgrounds are unusual, and we are the first married couple ever to be placed on the list.

Once the Russian Federation collapses and freedom and independence are achieved for the peoples suffering under Russian colonial rule, we intend to go to Russia with our heads held high.

Make Russia Small Again!

November 27, 2025