Ban on diamonds and frozen assets: Japan doubles down on sanctions against Russia

The Japanese government has announced sanctions against 135 Russian and Russia-associated companies and individuals who helped the country to circumvent sanctions restrictions. The package also contains a ban on imports of non-industrial diamonds from 1 January 2024.

Source: statement of the Ministry of Economy of Japan

Details: The sanctions were extended against 57 Russian and 27 Belarusian companies, as well as against a number of legal entities from the UAE, Armenia, Syria and Uzbekistan for helping the Russian Federation evade sanctions previously imposed by Japan and allied countries.

Thus, the published list includes Tatyana Shevtsova, Russian Deputy Defence Minister; Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova; Ksenia Mishonova, Children's Rights Representative of Moscow Oblast; and thirty other Russian civilian and military figures, as well as 43 research and production companies of the Russian military-industrial complex.

Japan also imposed sanctions against 16 persons involved in the annexation of Crimea and the starting of the war in Donbas. Thus, two individuals connected to the downing of a Malaysian Boeing that ended in 298 fatalities were placed under Japanese sanctions only now.

In addition, the statement mentions the freezing of assets of individuals and companies associated with the Russian Federation. Japan froze the assets of 19 individuals and 43 organisations directly involved in the "invasion of Ukraine, or destabilisation of the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine."

Background: 

Since 9 August, Japan has prohibited the export of automobiles with engines larger than 1.9 litres, hybrid cars and electric vehicles to the Russian Federation. The import of trains, yachts, fabrics, and items made of metal and glass into Russia will also be prohibited.

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