Japan Launches First Vessel Sanctions in Support of Ukraine
The Japanese government announced a sanctions package targeting Russian trade, which included its first-ever vessel sanctions. The package covered 35 vessels as well as 33 entities and nine individuals, among them 13 crude oil tankers registered in Oman, 17 Russia-flagged vessels and five tankers with a false flag or no known registry. Japan granted a temporary exclusion for contracts entered into before October 2, with companies given until November 1 to complete them, and the sanctions did not extend to Russia's gas operation.
Why it matters: The measures place Japan's sanctions policy in line with other G7 states while leaving Russian gas imports outside the restrictions.