TOKYO, February 16. /TASS/. The trade turnover between Japan and Russia in January 2023 decreased by 23.6% compared to the same period in 2022 to 185.1 bln yen (about $1.38 bln), according to TASS estimations based on data given by the Japanese Ministry of Finance on Thursday, as well as data for 2022.

As a result, imports from Russia fell by 18.4% to 141.3 bln yen (about $1.05 bln). At the same time, exports to Russia plummeted 36.3% to 43.7 bln yen (about $326 mln).

According to public data, Japan raised imports of medical items from Russia by 314.3% in January 2023, while decreasing imports of steel and steel products by 51.7%. At the same time, medical device exports to Russia increased by 49.6%, passenger car exports declined by 7.2%, and car component exports increased by 76.1%.

The main reason for the decline in trade between Russia and Japan in virtually all directions was the Japanese sanctions. The restrictions imposed in stages due to the situation in Ukraine have already affected almost 900 individuals and more than 50 organizations in Russia.