Japan Says Ready to Join Sanctions on Russia

Japan has indicated that it will join the United States and other members of the Group of Seven (G-7) group in imposing sanctions on Russia if the country follows ahead with its invasion of Ukraine, according to Reuters

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters that Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions are "wrong and a violation of international law," and urged him to exercise caution.

According to Reuters, Kishida's office had phone conversations with German chancellor Olaf Scholz, and the two agreed to keep an eye on regional developments. Kishida went on to say that if Russia invades, Japan is prepared to respond forcefully.

According to the wire service, Japan's Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said at a press conference that "Ukraine is currently confronting a severe situation," and that "we must firmly watch how it could damage Japan's economy."

The revelation follows Putin's announcement on Monday that Russia has recognised two eastern Ukrainian regions as independent. Later, Putin dispatched soldiers to the region where separatists backed by Russia were fighting the Ukrainian military.

In recent weeks, the US and its European allies have declared that if Russia invades Ukraine, the allies will impose heavy economic sanctions on Russia.

Germany halted certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, a vessel that would transport gas from Russia to Germany, on Tuesday. The move was in response to Russia's recognition of the eastern Ukrainian territories as independent.

According to Reuters, previous Japanese governments have approached Putin with a more careful approach in an attempt to reclaim islands held by Russian soldiers at the conclusion of WWII.

In addition, Japan has become increasingly reliant on Russian energy exports, with Russia providing more than 12% of Japan's thermal coal and a tenth of its liquefied natural gas in 2021.