From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Japan adds 17 Russians to sanctions list, including Jewish billionaire Vekselberg
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TOKYO — Japan’s government is freezing the assets of 17 more Russian politicians tycoons and their relatives to step up sanctions and pressure Moscow to end its invasion of Ukraine.
The list of sanction targets include 11 members of the Russian parliamentary chamber of Duma, banker Yuri Kovalchuk and his relatives, as well as billionaire Viktor Vekselberg, chairman of Renova Group, according to a statement jointly issued by the foreign, finance and trade ministries.
Vekselberg, a prominent philanthropist to Jewish causes, was also linked to lobbying efforts in the US, and was accused of involvement in the Donald Trump-Stormy Daniels affair.
The move brings the number of Russians targeted by Japan’s asset freezes to 61.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno tells reporters that the additional steps were taken “in order to stop Russia’s invasion (of Ukraine) as soon as possible.”
Matsuno said Japan will cooperate with other Group of Seven nations and other international community to respond appropriately in case of further sanctions.
Japan has previously imposed sanctions against Russian central bank, seven private banks, and Russian and Belarusian individuals and groups. Tokyo also imposed an export ban to Russia of items including high technology equipment that may be used for military purposes.
ToI Staff contributed to this report
The Times of Israel Community.