Russian Invasion Of Ukraine: Japan Imposes New Sanctions On 17 Individuals, Including Billionaire Viktor Vekselberg

JAKARTA - Japan has decided to freeze the assets of an additional 17 Russian individuals, bringing the total number targeted by sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine to 61, Japan's Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday.

The move comes after the United States on Friday imposed sanctions on a number of Russian individuals including billionaire Viktor Vekselberg, as well as 12 members of the Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament.

Vekselberg was also the target of sanctions by Japan, as well as 11 members of the Duma and five members of the family of banker Yuri Kovalchuk, the finance ministry said.

Regarding sanctions, Japan itself will act in line with other Group of Seven (G7) countries on sanctions, said the government's main spokesman, Hirokazu Matsuno.

"Regarding further sanctions, we will continue to monitor conditions and, together with other G7 countries, respond appropriately," Matsuno told reporters at a news conference, cited from Reuters, March 15.

Previously, Tokyo had also imposed sanctions on Russia's central bank and seven private banks, among other organizations. As well as various Belarusian individuals and banks, including organizations from that country for their support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

As part of stronger restrictions on Moscow, Japan also said it would expand the ban on exports to Russia to include 31 items such as semiconductors, communications equipment, sensors, and radar, as well as 26 technology packages starting Friday.