Japan formally revoked Russia’s “most favored nation” trading status on its invasion of Ukraine on April 20, as Tokyo extended sanctions amid revelations of Russian military atrocities against civilians.
The stripping of Russia’s trade status is Japan’s latest move against Moscow and was part of a list of sanctions announced by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last month, including the decision to expel eight Russian diplomats and business officials .
The repeal of Russia’s trade status by Japan’s parliament, along with other sanctions collectively imposed by other countries, is expected to intensify pressure on Russia, but the move could also prompt retaliation from Moscow.
The repeal of the trade condition applies to tariffs on all Russian imports.
Wednesday’s parliamentary decision also included an amendment to a foreign exchange law to prevent the transfer of virtual currency held by people who are subject to asset freezing.
Japan continues to play a large role in international efforts against Russia due to concerns about the impact of the invasion in East Asia, where China’s military has become increasingly assertive.
Japan has also frozen the assets of hundreds of Russian individuals and groups and banned new investment and trade, including the export of goods that could be used for military purposes.
Japan also announced plans to phase out Russian coal imports.
On Wednesday, eight Russian diplomats under expulsion were seen leaving the Russian embassy in Tokyo on a bus to Haneda International Airport, where they took a Russian government plane back to their country.
Japan has already faced retaliation from Russia.
Moscow recently announced the suspension of talks with Tokyo on a peace treaty that included talks on the Russian-held islands that the former Soviet Union seized from Japan at the end of World War II.