This picture shows Russia's national flag at the Russian Embassy in Tokyo on April 8, 2022. Japan said on Friday it will expel eight Russian diplomats and officials over military operation in Ukraine. (KAZUHIRO NOGI / AFP)
TOKYO – Japan will impose additional sanctions on Russia, banning imports of coal and vodka, freezing assets held by major lenders Sberbank and Alfa Bank while halting new investments, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday.
The five-point sanctions list is part of Japan's latest measures to add economic and diplomatic pressure on Russia, Kishida told a press conference.
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The Japanese government plans to expand the number of individuals subject to Japan's asset freezes to around 550 from the current 400.
Shortly before Kishida's press conference, the Japanese foreign ministry said it will expel eight Russians including diplomats.
"As a result of our country's comprehensive judgment, we have requested the expulsion of eight diplomats from the Russian Embassy in Japan and officials from the Office of the Trade Representative of the Russian Federation," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hikariko Ono said.
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She said Russia's ambassador to Japan Mikhail Yurievich Galuzin had been informed of the decision in a meeting with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Takeo Mori.