Japan to approve chip exports to Russia over Ukraine
Japan will impose sanctions on Russia targeting
semiconductor exports and financial institutions, Prime Minister
Fumio Kishida said Friday after G7 leaders agreed to punish Moscow economically
for invading Ukraine.
The announcement came after Russian President Vladimir Putin
unleashed a full-scale ground invasion and air assault on Thursday, with deadly
battles reaching the outskirts of Kyiv.
Kishida said the world's third-largest economy planned
"asset freezes and the suspension of visa issuance for Russian individuals
and organizations" as well as asset freezes "targeting Russian
financial institutions".
"Thirdly, we will sanction exports to
Russian military-related organizations, and exports to Russia of
general-purpose goods such as semiconductors and items on a restricted list
based on international agreements," he told reporters.
Kishida did not detail the scale of the sanctions or which
individuals and institutions would be targeted.
Semiconductors are essential components in products from
cars to gaming consoles, and are in short supply worldwide.
The United States has also announced export controls on
sensitive components that US President Joe Biden said will "cut off more
than half of Russia's high-tech imports".
Japan is a key US ally and member of the Group of
Seven, which held virtual talks overnight and agreed "to move forward on
devastating packages of sanctions and other economic measures to hold Russia to
account", Biden said.
On Wednesday, Tokyo announced a ban on the issuing and trade
of Russian government bonds in Japan after Moscow ordered troops into
two separatist-controlled Ukrainian regions.