Japan to sanction Russian groups over North Korean arms procurement

Japan's government said on May 24 that it has decided to impose sanctions on nine entities based in Russia and a national of the country as well as two Cypriot firms over Moscow's weapons procurements from North Korea amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

According to Kyodo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a press conference that Japan "strongly condemns" arms transfers to Russia from North Korea, which violate related U.N. Security Council resolutions.

"As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, it is extremely important to take actions in coordination with the international community," the top government spokesman said.

Assets in Japan owned by the targeted entities, including shipping firms and military facilities, and a Russian business person will be frozen, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

The sanctions will hit:

• Transmorflot Ltd;
• leasing company M-Leasing;
• shipping company ASIA;
• state-owned airline 224th Flying Squadron and its general director Vladimir Mikheychik;
• Eastern Stevedoring Company Ltd;
• a naval missile complex in the seaside village of Danube;
• FKU Troop Unit 25969 (command of the Russian military transport aviation);
• Vladimirovka research complex
• Ashuluk firing range;
• IBEX Shipping and Azia Shipping in Cyprus.

In a joint statement in February, the leaders of the Group of Seven countries condemned the shipment of North Korean ballistic missiles to Russia, calling on Pyongyang and Moscow to "immediately cease such activities."

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Japan, in lockstep with the other G7 members, has imposed asset freezes on Russian President Vladimir Putin, his subordinates and the nation's central bank.