Russia Seizes Japan Tobacco's Russian Business as Tokyo Protests

Summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the seizure of the Russian business of Japan Tobacco Inc., the market's largest cigarette company, according to the Financial Times, a move the paper says is set to further strain ties between Moscow and Tokyo. The Japan Times reports the order affects four manufacturing plants and has drawn immediate protest from Tokyo. ABC News reports that Japan has protested to Moscow after Russia placed four subsidiaries of Japan Tobacco under temporary Russian management. Bloomberg reports that the move sent Japan Tobacco's shares plunging by the most on record, and describes it as the latest twist in an escalating diplomatic spat between the two nations. Bloomberg's headline says the assets were transferred to a local firm.

Timeline

1. Bloomberg

   6 Nov 2026, 00:31 UTCSource ↗

   Bloomberg reports that Putin's decision to seize the assets of Japan Tobacco Inc.'s Russian arm sent the company's shares plunging by the most on record, the latest twist in an escalating diplomatic spat between the two nations.

2. Financial Times

   6 Nov 2026, 02:59 UTCSource ↗

   The Financial Times reports that Putin ordered the expropriation of Japan Tobacco's Russian business, the market's largest cigarette company, a move set to further strain ties between Moscow and Tokyo.

3. The Japan Times

   6 Nov 2026, 05:42 UTCSource ↗

   The Japan Times reports that the order affects four manufacturing plants and has drawn immediate protest from Tokyo.

4. ABC News

   6 Nov 2026, 14:24 UTCSource ↗

   ABC News reports that Japan has protested to Moscow after Russia placed four subsidiaries of Japan Tobacco under temporary Russian management.