Japan increases export bans and deepens sanctions on Russia
Tokyo’s most recent sanctions follow Russian missile attacks on Ukraine that left at least 11 people dead.
Following Russia’s most recent wave of missile assaults in Ukraine, Japan has reinforced its sanctions against that country by adding more products to an export ban list and freezing the assets of Russian officials and entities.
The decision was made on Friday in response to Russia’s initiation of missile attacks throughout Ukraine on Thursday, which resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people. Germany and the United States had already promised to provide Kyiv with tanks to assist it fend off a fresh Russian offensive.
According to a press release from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, “in view of the circumstances surrounding Ukraine and to contribute to international efforts to secure peace, Japan will enforce export bans in accordance with other major nations.”
As part of the new restrictions, Japan will start banning exports to 49 organizations in Russia of goods that could be used to strengthen Moscow’s military prowess as of February 3.
According to the government, they will include items like water cannons, gas exploration equipment, semiconductor equipment, vaccines, X-ray inspection equipment, explosives, and robots.
The assets of 22 people and three entities in Russia will also be frozen by Japan. These people and entities include the surface-to-air missile manufacturer MMZ Avangard, the deputy defense minister Mikhail Mizintsev, the justice minister Konstantin Chuychenko, and 14 pro-Moscow individuals associated with the “annexation” of parts of southeast Ukraine.
