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Japan's Trade Ministry announced Friday it will impose export restrictions on nine foreign entities, including two from Türkiye, six from China and one from the United Arab Emirates, as part of expanded sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
The restrictions aim to prevent the transfer of goods and technologies that could support Russia's military operations, according to the ministry announcement and reports.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi reportedly described the new sanctions during a press conference as Japan's "contribution to international efforts for peace, including resolving the issue surrounding Ukraine."
"These steps are aimed at our country contributing to international efforts for peace, including resolving the issue surrounding Ukraine," Hayashi stated.
The export restrictions represent part of a larger sanctions package announced Friday. Japan also imposed sanctions against more than 50 organizations from Russia and Belarus, as well as 14 individuals.
These measures include asset freezes if discovered and restrictions on financial transactions.
Additionally, export restrictions were implemented against two organizations from Russia and nine organizations from Belarus.
Britain launched its own sanctions package on Friday targeting Russia's revenue streams and military supplies. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the measures while traveling to Kyiv.
"The U.K. will not stand idly by as Putin continues his barbaric invasion of Ukraine. His complete disregard for sovereignty has been shown this week when he recklessly sent drones into NATO airspace," Cooper said.
"International action to increase economic pressure on Russia and to cut off critical cash flows which he desperately needs to pay for this illegal war is vital," Cooper noted.
The U.K. sanctions targeted 70 ships in Russia's "shadow fleet" that transport Russian oil, along with 30 entities and individuals supporting Russia's war machine by supplying key equipment such as electronics, chemicals and explosives used to manufacture missiles and other weapons systems.
Among the companies sanctioned by the U.K. were China-based Shenzhen Blue Hat International Trade Co. and its Russian co-owners Elena Malitckaia and Alexey Malitskiy, as well as Türkiye-based MastelMakina Ithalat Ihracat Limited Sirketi and its chief executive, Azerbaijani national Shanlik Shukurov.
"These sanctions form the next stage in the U.K.'s leading efforts to ramp up economic pressure alongside our security support and our work alongside the coalition of the willing for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine," Cooper stated.
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