Tokyo: Japan has joined the chorus of nations tightening the screws on Russia, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announcing a fresh set of sanctions targeting Russian individuals and entities. This move underscores Japan’s solidarity with the decisions reached by the Group of Seven (G7) member countries.
The announcement was made during a virtual summit among the leaders of the G7 nations, as reported by NHK.
Prime Minister Kishida underscored the critical importance of demonstrating unity with Ukraine in the face of the ongoing conflict and the complex geopolitical landscape. He reaffirmed Japan’s steadfast commitment to supporting Kyiv, highlighting it as a top priority for the nation in 2024.
Japan’s decision to impose new sanctions closely follows the G7 leaders’ summit held on February 24, commemorating the second anniversary of the military incursion into Ukraine. At the summit, the G7 nations resolved to implement measures aimed at curbing Russia’s revenue from energy exports. Specifically, they pledged to tighten oversight over the pricing of Russian oil and to penalize those involved in circumventing existing restrictions.
The United States has been at the forefront of sanctioning Russia, having already implemented approximately 500 measures affecting various sectors. These sanctions have targeted entities such as the “National Payment Card System (NPCS)”, automotive manufacturer Aurus, FGUP “NAMI”, PIK Group, “Mechel”. among others.
Moreover, the European Union has approved its 13th round of sanctions, broadening the scope of goods prohibited for export to Russia. Among the additions to the list are components potentially used in the development and assembly of drones. Export controls have also been placed on 27 organizations accused of providing support to Russia’s military-industrial complex, with these entities spanning countries including India, China, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Serbia, and Sri Lanka.
