Half a year has passed since the military invasion, and survey results have been compiled that Japanese companies are slowing down their moves to suspend or withdraw from Russia.
However, as the convergence is uncertain, it seems that we will be forced to make a difficult decision as to whether we will continue to wait and see.
According to a survey compiled by Teikoku Databank, a credit research company, as of the 21st of this month, 44% of the 168 major Japanese companies operating in Russia have decided to suspend or withdraw from Russia. 74 companies.
This so-called “departure from Russia” movement has gradually spread among Japanese companies, with Western companies taking the lead.
However, as half a year has passed since the military invasion, no companies have newly decided to "suspend" or "withdraw" since last month.
A research firm said, "Movement to move away from Russia, including by European and American companies, is slowing down." I believe that this is behind the
However, on the other hand, it is said that it has come to a stage where it will be forced to make a decision about withdrawing from the Russian business in order to prevent further deterioration of business performance, as there is no prospect of convergence.
JETRO = Japan External Trade Organization Chairman Nobuhiko Sasaki said at a press conference on the 22nd, "For companies, we are on the verge of a turning point. We cannot predict when the war will end, and we cannot draw a bright outlook, so we made a desperate decision. are being forced to do so,” he said.
A difficult decision between “de-Russia” and energy security
Under these circumstances, the impact of military aggression is particularly conspicuous in terms of trade.
Car exports from Japan to Russia fell to about 16,000 units in the six months until the end of June, down about 40% from the same period the previous year.
In addition, imports of Russian crude oil have been on a downward trend since May in response to the Japanese government's policy.
On the other hand, natural gas is imported based on long-term contracts, so no major impact has been seen so far.
However, regarding the development project "Sakhalin 2" in the Russian Far East, the Russian government established a new company this month to take over the business, and Mitsui & Co. I am asking you to let me know if you will participate in
Both companies are faced with a difficult decision between leaving Russia and securing energy in Japan.
How are major Japanese companies responding?
Among Japanese companies operating in Russia, some continue to suspend operations there, while others are resuming operations.
Among these automakers, Toyota Motor and Nissan Motor are still suspending local production in Russia and exporting finished vehicles to Russia.
Among electronics manufacturers, Panasonic has basically suspended transactions with Russia, while Hitachi has successively suspended exports of products to Russia and the operation of its manufacturing bases in Russia, except for electric power equipment.
In addition, the Sony Group has stopped shipping PlayStation game consoles and game software to Russia, and has also stopped operating online stores for Russia.
In daily necessities, Kao has suspended exports and shipments to Russia, with the exception of some products for women and infants, and has stopped advertising locally.
Fast Retailing has also suspended operations at Uniqlo stores in Russia.
On the other hand, some companies are considering withdrawing from the Russian business.
The Dentsu Group, a major advertising company, is coordinating a joint venture with a local company in Russia to transfer the shares of the joint venture in the future.
JT (Japan Tobacco) is aware that its business in Russia, which manufactures cigarettes, etc., will face restrictions on the supply chain due to the prolonged military invasion and the increased possibility that stable business activities will be hindered. We are considering the sale of the business as a reason.
On the other hand, there is also a movement to restart the business.
Yokohama Rubber, a major tire manufacturer, had suspended production at its local factory due to difficulties in procuring raw materials, but it has partially resumed production as it was able to secure raw materials via Turkey. .
Intensifying impact on daily life
The rise in energy and food prices triggered by Russia's military invasion of Ukraine has a growing impact on our lives.
crude oil, gasoline
Of these, crude oil temporarily exceeded $ 130 per barrel in March, immediately after Russia launched a military invasion.
The supply of crude oil from Russia, an oil-producing country, was stagnant, and there was growing speculation that there would be a supply shortage. In March of the same year, the average retail price of regular gasoline in Japan was 175.2 yen per liter, the highest since 2008. I put on
The government is trying to keep gasoline prices down by subsidizing oil wholesalers, but as of the 15th of this month, the price was 169.8 yen per liter, more than 10 yen higher than the same period last year. continues.
Electricity charges
The price of LNG (liquefied natural gas), which is used for thermal power generation, has soared.
Chubu Electric Power has the largest increase in price, with the average household electricity bill for September at 9,111 yen, an increase of 1,805 yen compared to January this year, Tokyo Electric Power at 1,495 yen, and Hokkaido Electric Power at 849 yen. The yen and Tohoku Electric Power will rise to 713 yen each.
food price hike
Prices of food products such as wheat, which is mainly produced in Russia and Ukraine, and edible oil made from corn, continue to rise.
According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries at supermarkets nationwide, the price of flour this month was 319 yen per kilogram, up 2.6% from the previous month.
The price of salad oil, which is made from rapeseed, soybeans, corn, etc., was 471 yen per kilogram, up 6.8% from the previous month, all of which continued their upward trend.
Prime Minister Kishida instructed the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on the 15th of this month to consider concrete measures to keep the price unchanged, saying that the selling price of imported wheat will rise by about 20% from October if this continues.