On Friday, May 26, 2023, Japan announced additional sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine, which include freezing the assets of dozens of individuals and groups and banning exports to Russian military-related organizations.
Hirokazu Matsuno, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, told reporters that the Cabinet’s decision demonstrates that Japan is in line with the other Group of Seven nations, who also decided to retain and tighten sanctions against Russia at their meeting last week in Hiroshima.
During their summit in Hiroshima last week, the G7 leaders; France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine with increased military assistance and sanctions against Russia.
They stated that in addition to attempting to reduce Russian profits from trade in metals and diamonds, limits would be placed on the export of industrial machinery, tools, and technology vital to Russia’s war effort.
Japan, Matsuno declared, is dedicated to cooperating with the other G7 nations and the larger international community “to improve the situation” for Ukraine.
Furthermore, Matsuno vehemently denounced the agreement between Russia and Belarus that formalizes the stationing of Moscow’s tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of its partner as a step that “further escalates tensions.”
“As the world’s only country to have suffered nuclear attacks, Japan finds Russia’s threats of nuclear weapons and their use absolutely impermissible. Japan’s government demands Russia and Belarus stop actions that further escalate tensions as we continue to watch the development with strong concern.”
Hirokazu Matsuno
On Thursday, May 25, 2023, at a bilateral meeting in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, the Defense Ministers of Russia and Belarus, Sergei Shoigu and Viktor Khrenin, signed documents which define the process for storing Russian non-strategic nuclear weapons in a specialized facility in Belarus, Ukraine’s northern neighbor.
Both Russian and Belarusian officials framed the step as driven by hostility from the West. Belarus’s Ministry of Defense said the agreement refers to a “special storage facility on the territory of the Republic of Belarus.”
A Reflection Of G7’s Aim To Prevent The Evasion Of Sanctions By Third Countries
Matsuno disclosed that the G7’s intention to stop sanctions evasion by third nations is reflected in Japan’s extra sanctions and export restrictions, which include a ban on exporting goods that would bolster Russia’s industrial base.
According to a statement jointly issued by the foreign, trade and finance ministries, 24 individuals and 78 organizations were added to a list of those subject to asset freezes, including those who allegedly helped to divert and evade sanctions.
Japan also imposed an export ban on 80 Russian military-related organizations, including machinery makers. The provision of construction, engineering and other services for Russia will also be banned.
Japan has been working closely with the G7 to impose sanctions against Russia for its war in Ukraine due to growing worries about how the conflict may affect Asia, where China has been escalating its military buildup and threatening to use force to impose control over Taiwan, which is self-governed.
