Japan Tobacco demands Russia return seized manufacturing operations

Japan Tobacco International said Friday that four manufacturing subsidiaries operating in Russia have been placed under temporary administrative control by Moscow authorities. The company disclosed that it is currently assessing potential courses of action to address the situation.

The seizure marks an escalation in commercial disputes between Japanese companies and Russia, occurring against the backdrop of international tensions and ongoing sanctions regimes. Japan Tobacco has not yet specified which subsidiaries were affected or the stated grounds for their placement under state control.

The company indicated it would pursue available remedies to recover operational control of the facilities. Japan Tobacco International has maintained significant manufacturing operations in Russia for decades, making the seizure a significant business disruption for the Japanese multinational.

No immediate response from Russian authorities was available. The move reflects broader challenges facing foreign enterprises operating in Russia amid geopolitical divisions and regulatory pressures.