Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hikariko Ono announced the decision on April 8. Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Mori has notified Russian Ambassador Mikhail Galuzin, she said, AP reports.
The step comes after European Union nations, including France and Germany, said this week they would expel Russian diplomats. Russia denies targeting civilians in the conflict in Ukraine, where it says it has launched a "special operation."
Earlier on April 8, the industry minister said Japan planned to reduce Russian coal imports gradually while seeking alternative suppliers in the wake of sanctions against Moscow.
