Japan Broadens Sanctions in Response to Russia's Ukraine Invasion

Photo by Franck ROBICHON / POOL / AFP

   On Friday, Japan announced an expansion of sanctions in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The updated sanctions list includes dozens of newly sanctioned firms and organizations, incorporating export bans on some entities outside of Russia and its ally Belarus.

The trade ministry revealed that Japan added 57 organizations in Russia and six others in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Armenia, Syria, and Uzbekistan to its sanctions list.

With these additions, Japan has now enforced an export ban on a total of 494 Russian organizations, 27 Belarusian entities, and an additional six in various other countries.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February of the previous year, the country has faced a series of sanctions. Despite the existing measures, calls for more stringent actions against Moscow have increased from Kyiv and its allies.

Prior to this expansion, Tokyo had already implemented measures such as freezing assets of Russian individuals and groups, as well as banning the export of goods to Russia's military-related organizations. Additionally, Japan had restricted the export of construction and engineering services.

The newly announced sanctions will be implemented on December 22 for the recently added Russian organizations and on December 27 for other entities.

During the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Japan in May, the leaders of the bloc collectively agreed to "starve Russia of G7 technology, industrial equipment, and services that support its war machine."

In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United States, Britain, and the European Union have imposed substantial sanctions on Russia. Additionally, these nations have pledged billions of dollars in military aid to Kyiv.