How China links ensure Japan’s illicit pianos keep Russia’s elite entertained

While US-led export controls on Russia have primarily targeted weapons components and high-end chips, a less threatening product shows just how hard it will be for Donald Trump to squeeze Vladimir Putin’s economy: Japanese grand pianos.

Along with many other US allies, Japan barred the export of luxury goods to Russia a few months after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in early 2022. Grand pianos valued at more than US$1,300 were included on Tokyo’s list of banned goods.

Official figures show Japan’s piano exports to Russia plunging since the ban was introduced. But Japan’s exports to China rose 300 per cent in 2023 from a year earlier, according to United Nations trade data – despite a slump in Chinese consumer demand caused by a deteriorating economy.

That same year, exports of grand pianos from China to Russia jumped to 830 units from 155 in 2022, the UN data shows. The statistics do not include a breakdown of the country of origin for each piano.

The trade figures suggest another example of restricted goods making their way to Russia through indirect routes via its trade partners. They raise doubts about the effectiveness of the sanctions even if they do not by themselves confirm the breaking of any rules.

Officials in Japan have acknowledged the difficulty of enforcement and also the need to raise awareness of how sanctions actually apply.