The new sanctions, according to the newspaper, would expand a blacklist of persons barred from entry to the country. All assets and real estate of such people if found in Japan would be frozen.
In April, Tokyo said it suspended issuing entry visas to 23 Russian nationals but their names had not been made public. Japan also suspended consultations with Russia on easing the visa regime and refused to begin talks on a number of other issues, including in the area of economic cooperation. In July, the Japanese government said it would freeze assets of 40 more people and two Crimean companies.
These measures, according to Japanese officials, were rather symbolic and were meant to demonstrate Japan’s solidarity with the United States and the European Union. Until now, Japan has been trying to reach a balance between the policy of sanctions and its reluctance to damage relations with Russia. Thus, until now, Tokyo has been refraining from measures that might impact economic ties with Russia.
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