Japan to slap extra sanctions on Iran over nuke development+

TOKYO, Aug. 3 Kyodo -
The Japanese government said Tuesday it will impose additional sanctions on
Iran over its uranium enrichment and other nuclear development programs,
including a freeze on assets.
The move comes in line with a U.N. Security Council resolution adopted in June
and signals Japan's willingness to work closely with the United States and the
European Union in taking punitive actions against Iran.
But some Japanese officials are also concerned about taking steps that could
deteriorate trade relations with Iran, a major oil supplier to Japan.
The Cabinet of Prime Minister Naoto Kan approved a set of additional measures,
including a freeze on the assets of 40 organizations and an individual involved
in nuclear and missile development programs.
First East Export Bank, an affiliate of Iran's state-owned Bank Mellat, as well
as Javad Rahiqi, who heads the Esfahan Nuclear Technology Center of the Atomic
Energy Organization of Iran, were named in the list released by the government
of those subject to the asset freeze.
Enterprises linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard and Iran's national
shipping line are also subject to the asset freeze.
The new measures also include steps aimed at preventing money transfers related
to the supply to Iran of large conventional weapons.
The government will also ban in principle Iranian investments in Japanese firms
involved in nuclear technology development, while urging financial institutions
to report all suspicious capital transactions concerning Iran.
In addition to those U.N.-backed measures, Japan also plans to take some
independent steps as announced by the United States and European nations,
government officials said.
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said at a press conference that the government
will compile such measures this month by studying U.S. and European sanctions
as a reference.
However, the stance is prompting concerns among some Japanese officials who
weigh it against trade relations with Iran.
But Okada said sanctions that would not have an impact on Japanese companies
would not be very effective.
Japan's own punitive measures will be ''necessary for the country to fulfill
its responsibility in the international community'' so as to stop nuclear
proliferation and Iran's nuclear development, Okada said.
''We have to take concerted action with the United States and European Union.
Sanctions cannot be lifted as long as Iran ignores U.N. Security Council
resolutions and continues its uranium enrichment to 20 percent purity,'' Okada
said.
As for possible negative impact on the Japanese economy, a Japanese official
said earlier, ''Iran is an important trading partner. We cannot take a tough
stance as does the United States, which has severed diplomatic ties'' with
Iran.
A major Japanese oil development firm gave up a large part of its interests in
Iran's Azadegan oil field in 2006 as Tokyo sided with Washington, its key ally.
Last year, a state-run firm of China increased its stake in Azadegan, one of
the largest oil fields in the Middle East.
==Kyodo
2010-08-03 23:58:18


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