The Japanese government will ask Japanese companies to refuse to pay Russia in rubles, especially in the energy sector.
This was announced by Secretary General of the Government of Japan Hirokazu Matsuno, writes Nikkei Asia.
According to him, according to the agreements of the G7 countries, the Japanese authorities urge businesses not to agree to the requirements of Russia.
In addition, the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry said that Japan will ban the export of luxury goods to Russia. Prohibited items include luxury cars, motorcycles, alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, fashion items and art objects.
The G7 countries (USA, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, and Canada) will not pay for Russian gas in rubles, as required by Russia.
Earlier, Russian President Putin said that the Russian Federation has decided to accept payment for gas supplied to Europe in Russian rubles.
Following this statement, spot gas prices in Europe rose by 17% to $1,340 per thousand cubic meters.
The Austrian company OMV refused to pay for Russian gas in rubles.
Latvia has stated that it will not buy gas from Russia for rubles, as the contract “does not provide for the possibility to pay in a currency other than the Euro.”
And the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Janez Janša, was even more succinct: “no one in Europe will pay in rubles for gas.”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz also said that Germany would not pay for gas and oil in rubles.
In response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine on March 8, the White House banned all imports of Russian oil, gas, and energy to the United States.
