Moscow’s asset seizures unnerve Japanese companies in Russia

Moscow's recent seizure of assets from three Western companies has created significant uncertainty for over 200 Japanese firms still operating in Russia. On Friday, the Kremlin announced that assets belonging to Swiss company Nestlé, French retailer Auchan, and home improvement chain Lemana Pro were transferred to a Russian entity named LEV Management. This action was authorized by a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. The seizures occur amidst worsening diplomatic relations between Russia and what the Kremlin has termed "unfriendly nations."