Japan joins EU and U.S. in sancions against Russia

Japan joins EU and U.S. in sancions against Russia

TOKYO -- Japan has introduced visa restrictions for 23 Russian citizens, a day after the United States and the European Union introduced new sanctions against Russia.

"Japan expresses its concern that actions of Russia aimed at violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine continued, including the annexation of Crimea," said a statement issued by Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, according to Reuters.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not publish the names, titles of nationality of the 23 persons, but states that the list is based on the one published by the U.S. and the EU.

New U.S. sanctions against Russian officials were announced last night, including visa restricting and freezing of assets, and includes the head of the oil giant Rosneft and a friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Igor Sechin.

After Russia in March recognized the independence of Crimea, Japan suspended negotiations with on visa facilitation and froze the start of negotiations on a new investment agreement.