The Japanese government has decided to freeze the assets of VEB.RF, Promsvyazbank and Rossiya Bank, Finance Minister Shun’ichi Suzuki said at a press conference. The Japanese authorities took these measures as part of new anti-Russian sanctions due to the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine.
“We have decided to freeze the assets of three banks within the framework of sanctions against Russia. These are VEB, Promsvyazbank and Rossiya Bank,” the minister said (TASS quote). Mr. Suzuki did not say how much assets will be frozen.
Japan will also tighten the procedures for issuing permits for the export of semiconductors “and other similar products” to the Russian Federation, the minister did not give other details. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida earlier announced a ban on the issuance of visas to Russians, as well as the cessation of exports of products to organizations from the Russian Federation associated with the military sector.
Rossiya Bank was previously sanctioned by Great Britain, while VEB.RF and Promsvyazbank were sanctioned by the United States, the European Union and Canada. Western countries tightened restrictions after Vladimir Putin announced on February 24 that troops would be sent in to “denazify and demilitarize” Ukraine. The Russian authorities have promised to respond to all sanctions.
On the development of the situation – in the online broadcast “Kommersant”.