TOKYO: Japan’s Hitachi decided on Thursday to suspend operations in Russia following a request from the Ukrainian government to do so, the Nikkei newspaper said.

The company said in a statement on Thursday it will stop exports and cease most operations in Russia except for vital electrical power facilities.

It did not mention any communication with the Ukrainian government.

Hitachi produces and sells construction machinery in Russia, but had received a letter from the vice president of Ukraine asking for operations to be suspended following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Nikkei report said.