Japan lifts asset freezes on 16 Syrian entities

Japan has removed 16 Syrian entities from its list of organisations subject to asset freezes and other sanctions, the country’s Foreign Ministry said on September 29.

The decision follows developments in Syria and reflects the state of bilateral relations between Japan and Syria, according to the ministry.

The entities removed from the sanctions list include Syriatel, the Commercial Bank of Syria, the Syrian Lebanese Commercial Bank, the Real Estate Bank, the Political Security Directorate and the Ministry of Defence.

The list also includes the Ministry of Interior, the General Petroleum Corporation, the Syrian Petroleum Company, the Syria Trading Oil Company (Sytrol), the Syrian Company for Oil Transport, the Military Housing Establishment, the Cotton Marketing Organisation, the General Organisation of Radio and TV, the Syria International Islamic Bank and Mahrukat Company.

Japan introduced asset freezes and other restrictive measures against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and related individuals and entities in 2011.

Following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, Japan partially lifted the measures in May 2025, in line with steps taken by other major countries.

Despite the latest decision, sanctions will remain in place against 59 individuals and 15 entities, the ministry said.

By Sabina Mammadli