Putin seizes control of Japan Tobacco units as Moscow-Tokyo ties fray

Nikkei Asia · Staff Writer · 2026-11-05 16:59 UTC

Cigarette giant likely caught up in Moscow pressure campaign over sanctions

TOKYO -- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree Thursday placing four Russian subsidiaries of Japan Tobacco under temporary management by a local entity, the latest move in the strained Russia-Japan relations.

Cigarette giant likely caught up in Moscow pressure campaign over sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been placing assets of foreign companies under external management via a presidential decree. (Pool photo via Reuters)

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