Russia places JTI assets under temporary management, Japan protests

JTI's Russian assets placed under temporary management, Japan protests

World DeskUpdated November 6, 2026

Russia has placed the assets of tobacco company JTI under temporary management, prompting a protest from Japan. Japan's finance minister said the situation was being closely monitored, and the transferred assets are valued at 60 billion rubles.

After Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree placing JTI's assets under temporary management, Japan responded with a protest. Japan's finance minister, Satsuki Katayama, said the government would closely monitor developments and respond in coordination with the relevant ministries and Japan Tobacco.

Details of the asset transfer and the parties' reactions

Under the decree, AO Promyshlennye Aktivy received temporary management of the stakes held by JTI entities in several Russian LLCs, including J.T.I. Donskoy Tabak, Petro, J.T.I. Yelets and Kres Neva. This was the first case of a global tobacco group's Russian assets being placed under the temporary management of a local company.

Asset valuation

60billion rubles

250–300billion rubles (total estimate)

Japan's protest was voiced not only at the ministerial level but also by diplomatic representatives. Kimitake Nakamura, director-general of the European Affairs Bureau at Japan's Foreign Ministry, also protested over the matter.

Context

The transfer of JTI's assets to temporary management was formalized by a decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to a Kommersant source, the transferred JTI entities are valued at 60 billion rubles, including funds in their accounts.