New Japanese sanctions on Russia to take effect
New Japanese sanctions on Russia and third-party entities go into effect today.
The latest measures, first announced in early January, target over thirty Russian entities, impose export restrictions on fifty-three organizations and 335 commodities, and freeze the assets of twelve individuals. These sanctions also extend to third-party countries allegedly aiding Russia in evading restrictions, including Georgia and North Korea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took to X (formerly Twitter) to commend Japan for its decisive action.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Japan has progressively tightened sanctions against Moscow. Tokyo has implemented import and export bans, revoked Russia’s most-favored nation status, and frozen assets, though it has refrained from providing lethal aid to Ukraine. In 2024, Japan expanded its sanctions to target firms in nations like China, India, and Kazakhstan, accusing them of facilitating sanction evasion. Even in areas of historical cooperation, such as mutual fishing access to exclusive economic zones (EEZs), Tokyo and Moscow have yet to agree on 2025 quotas.
These sanctions highlight Japan’s continued alignment with Western allies, particularly the U.S., as regional and global tensions intensify. North Korea’s military support for Russia and China’s escalating rhetoric on Taiwan have further driven this shift. As Ukraine’s second-largest bilateral donor, Japan is likely to expand its supportive economic measures in 2025. However, constitutional constraints under Article 9 suggest Tokyo will prioritize economic aid and not send lethal military support throughout the conflict.
