Editor’s Note
This article reports on Japan’s new sanctions measure, which extends an existing import ban on Russian non-industrial diamonds to include those imported via third countries.
The Japanese government announced on the 5th a ban on imports of non-industrial diamonds originating from Russia. This measure, primarily targeting diamonds for jewelry, aims to strengthen sanctions against Russia, which continues its invasion of Ukraine. The ban will also cover Russian diamonds imported via third countries, which were previously not regulated. It is scheduled to take effect on May 10.
Simultaneously, the government also announced strengthened sanctions that add a total of 164 items, including automotive engine oil and lithium-ion batteries, to the list of prohibited exports. These measures will begin on April 17. The export value of the newly added items to Russia was approximately 20 billion yen in 2021, prior to the invasion of Ukraine. This move aligns Japan’s sanctions with those of the United States and Europe.