The Cabinet on Tuesday approved additional sanctions against Russia, freezing assets of 398 Russian individuals, including President Vladimir Putin’s daughters and the wife of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, The Japan Times reports.
The Cabinet also approved an import ban on 38 items, including vodka and other liquors, electric machinery and lumber, effective April 19. The latest annual imports of these items add up to ¥16 billion, accounting for about 1.1% of total imports from Russia, according to the government.
The fresh sanctions that are in step with punitive measures taken by the United States and the European Union include freezing assets of 28 more Russian organizations such as those related to military business and two more lenders Sberbank and Alfa Bank. The measure for the banks will be implemented on May 12.
The Japanese government will also prohibit Japanese individuals and companies to make any new investments to the country.
With Putin’s daughters - Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova - added to the sanctions list, the total number of Russian individuals including military personnel and lawmakers subject to asset freezes by Japanese authorities reached 499.
“To prevent a further escalation of the crisis, realize a ceasefire as soon as possible and stop the Russian invasion of Ukraine, our country must impose tough sanctions against Moscow while working with the international community,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno at a regular news conference.
The new sanctions were announced after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday that Japan will phase out Russian coal imports in a major shift toward cutting its reliance on a nation facing renewed condemnation for its invasion of Ukraine and alleged atrocities.
The decision reinforces its resolve to be aligned with other Group of Seven nations to punish Moscow.
Russian coal makes up 13% of the total used for power generation in Japan. An international outcry triggered by images of dead civilians on Ukrainian streets apparently changed Japan’s cautious stance over sanctions targeting Russian energy.
With Putin’s daughters - Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova - added to the sanctions list, the total number of Russian individuals including military personnel and lawmakers subject to asset freezes by Japanese authorities reached 499.
“To prevent a further escalation of the crisis, realize a ceasefire as soon as possible and stop the Russian invasion of Ukraine, our country must impose tough sanctions against Moscow while working with the international community,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno at a regular news conference.