Japanese news agency Kyodo News cited Japan's Foreign Ministry as saying that the embassy was temporarily closed and will be transferred to a temporary liaison office set up in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.

The ministry added that the liaison office will continue providing support to Japanese nationals in Ukraine, especially those trying to flee the country.

On February 24, Russia launched a special operation in Ukraine responding to calls for help from the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics in countering the aggression of Ukrainian troops.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the special operation is targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure only and the civilian population is not in danger. Since then, hostilities have been taking place in Ukraine, and the West has been increasing sanctions pressure on Moscow.