Japan Eyes Additional Sanctions on Russia

Tokyo, March 19 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Wednesday that the government is considering additional sanctions against Russia over its decision to annex Crimea, southern Ukraine. At a House of Councillors committee meeting, Abe followed U.S. and European leaders condemning the Russian decision. "We can't overlook the attempt backed by forces to change the status quo," he said. Japan will draw up additional sanctions in collaboration with other Group of Seven countries, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference. As its initial sanctions against Russia, Japan announced a decision Tuesday to suspend talks to ease visa procedures and defer the start of negotiations on a new investment pact and two other deals. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty Tuesday to make Crimea part of his country. At the Upper House meeting, Abe criticized the move as violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Japan will continue to press Russia for a peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis, he stressed. He expressed his willingness to participate in a G-7 summit meeting proposed by U.S. President Barack Obama to discuss the crisis on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague Monday and Tuesday. "We will collaborate with G-7 and other countries to handle the matter in an appropriate way," Abe said. END