Japan Seeks Early Direct Talks Between PM Sanae Takaichi and Putin at APEC as Disputes With Moscow Mount

Japan is pushing to open direct talks between Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week, according to information obtained Thursday, as Tokyo seeks to address a widening set of disputes with Moscow.

Japanese officials are proposing that the two leaders meet on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering in China. The aim would be to create a high-level channel for negotiations at a moment when bilateral relations are under fresh strain.

At the top of Japan’s agenda is the continued detention of a Japanese journalist in Russia. Tokyo wants the case raised directly with the Kremlin, framing it as an urgent consular and press-freedom issue that requires political intervention beyond routine diplomatic contacts.

Japan also intends to press Russia over its seizure of local subsidiaries belonging to Japan Tobacco. The move has escalated concerns among Japanese companies operating in Russia and has sharpened attention in Tokyo to the risks facing foreign-owned assets in the country. Japanese government sources indicated the proposed talks would encompass both the journalist’s situation and the corporate dispute, with the hope of clarifying Moscow’s intentions and identifying a path to resolve the standoff.

The request for a Takaichi-Putin meeting underscores Japan’s effort to use multilateral forums to manage sensitive bilateral problems, particularly when formal state visits or stand-alone summits are difficult to arrange. APEC, which convenes regional leaders in a single venue, offers a rare opportunity for face-to-face engagement.

No further details were immediately available on whether Russia has agreed to the proposed meeting or what conditions Moscow might set for such a discussion. However, the fact that Tokyo is seeking leader-level talks suggests the government views the issues—both the journalist’s detention and the expropriation of Japan Tobacco units—as serious enough to warrant direct intervention from the highest political level.

Why it matters

Japan’s push for talks highlights the growing exposure of Japanese citizens and corporate assets in Russia amid heightened geopolitical tensions. If Moscow’s seizure of Japan Tobacco subsidiaries stands, it could chill business activity and raise pressure on Tokyo to respond more forcefully. The outcome of any Takaichi-Putin interaction at APEC will be closely watched for signs of de-escalation—or further deterioration—in Japan-Russia relations.