Japan approves additional sanctions against Russia in connection with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine

Japan on Friday approved additional sanctions against Russia in connection with the war with Ukraine, including freezing the assets of several dozen individuals and groups and banning exports to several dozen organizations in Russia and several other countries that allegedly helped it avoid sanctions.

Japan on Friday adopted further penalties against Russia for its war with Ukraine, including an export ban to dozens of Russian organizations and several other countries that allegedly helped Russia evade sanctions and freezing the assets of dozens of people and organizations. (AFP/representative)

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Friday’s introduction of additional sanctions by the cabinet shows Japan’s commitment to Group of Seven efforts to strengthen sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Japan has already imposed several rounds of sanctions, with the latest step coming a month after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reaffirmed the country’s policy at an online G7 summit in mid-December.

“This is Japan’s contribution to international efforts to achieve world peace and resolve the problems surrounding Ukraine as a result of the Russian invasion,” Hayashi said.

According to a joint statement by Japan’s foreign, trade and finance ministries, 11 people, 29 organizations and three banks from Russia were added to the list of frozen assets, as well as a North Korean and a Georgian bank that allegedly helped avoid sanctions.

The Cabinet approved imposing a total export ban on 22 Russian military-related organizations, including technology and machinery manufacturers.

It also approved a list of 335 items that cannot be exported to Russia from January 23. According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the list includes engines and parts for construction vehicles, motorcycles, communication and acoustic devices, mechanical tools and valves.

Export restrictions will also be applied to 31 non-Russian groups that the government says helped Russia divert restricted goods and avoid sanctions – 11 based in Hong Kong, seven in mainland China, eight in Turkey, two in Kyrgyzstan and one each in Thailand, the United Emirates Arab and Kazakhstan.

Japan’s additional sanctions and export restrictions are in line with the G7’s attempt to prevent Russia from avoiding sanctions with the help of third countries and include a ban on exports of materials that could help strengthen Russia’s industrial base, Hayashi said.

Japan has worked closely with the G7 to impose sanctions on Russia and support Ukraine amid growing concerns about the fallout from the war in Asia, where China has threatened to use force to take control of Taiwan.