Japan will ask firms not to pay in roubles for economic transactions

FILE PHOTO: Japan’s new Chief of Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu announces new cabinet members at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan October 4, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Tuesday that Japanese companies will be requested to refuse if Russia asks for rouble payments for economic transactions, especially in the energy sector.

Russia demanded last week that “unfriendly” countries must pay in roubles, not euros, for its gas in the wake of the United States and European allies teaming up on a series of sanctions aimed at Russia.

(Reporting by Elaine Lies; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

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