Japan protests Russian takeover of Japan Tobacco subsidiaries in Russia

Russia placed four subsidiaries of Japan Tobacco Inc. under the temporary management of a Russian company by presidential order

Japan sent senior government officials to Moscow to join the Japanese ambassador in lodging a protest and demanding retraction of the measure

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed the Japanese government is aware of Putin's order

Tensions between Japan and Russia have risen since Putin visited Iturup, one of four Russian-controlled islands Japan also claims, in August

final days of World War II: The Soviet Union seized the Kuril Islands from Japan · August: Putin visited Iturup, one of the disputed islands, raising tensions with Japan · since September: Russia began placing assets of a growing number of Western companies operating in Russia under temporary Russian control · mid-October: A Japanese journalist was arrested in Russia on suspicion of spying, escalating tensions · late October: Japanese consulate officials were allowed to meet the journalist and confirmed he was in good health · Friday: Japan Tobacco announced its four Russian subsidiaries were placed under temporary Russian management, and Japan lodged a formal protest

4 subsidiaries · 37.55% ownership stake

Japan Tobacco said it was still gathering more information about the takeover