Japan to impose sanctions against Russia over Crimea
Tokyo (AFP) - Tokyo on Tuesday said it would impose sanctions against Russia over its "deplorable" move recognising a Crimean vote to break away from Ukraine, as Japan's trade minister cancelled his appearance at a Russia investment forum.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a decree recognising Crimea as an independent state following a weekend referendum to secede from Ukraine and join Russia in a move that has fanned the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War.
"It's deplorable that Russia recognised the independence of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, a move that violates Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Japanese foreign ministry said in a statement Tuesday.
"Japan will suspend negotiations on easing visa requirements, and will not begin talks on a new investment accord, an outer space accord and an accord aimed at preventing risky military activities," it added, without elaborating.
The United States and Europe announced sanctions on Monday, with the White House saying that the measures, the toughest against Russia since the Cold War, would target economic power brokers in Moscow if the Kremlin does not change course.
There was no sign of Putin backing down, however, and Crimea's pro-Moscow authorities made plans to swiftly honour Sunday's 96 percent referendum vote to return to the Russian fold.
"Japan urges Russia to understand the position held by the G7 (Group of Seven)" world powers, including Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.
Suga, the top government spokesman, added that Japan "is, of course, thinking" about further action against Russia. He did not supply details.
However, Suga disputed suggestions that Tokyo's apparently lukewarm sanctions -- compared with its western partners' travel bans and asset freezes against Russian and Ukraine officials -- are linked to efforts aimed at solving a decades-old territorial disputes with Moscow.
"That's not the case," he said. "Japan never overlooks an attempt to change the status quo through force."
Japanese trade minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who was scheduled to attend a Russia investment forum in Tokyo on Wednesday, was now "unable to attend" because he has to be in parliament, a ministry official told AFP on Tuesday.
The forum, hosted by the Japanese and Russian trade ministries, will bring together senior executives from major firms including Japanese trading house Mitsui and Russian petroleum giant Rosneft, according to the event programme.
Motegi was scheduled to give a short speech. Other senior officials from both countries are on the guest list.
"Japan-Russia economic ties are developing steadily," Motegi told a regular press briefing earlier Tuesday.
"On the other hand, we are very much concerned about the situation in Crimea and urge Russia to behave with self-restraint based on international law," he added.
Japan is a major importer of crude oil and liquefied natural gas from Russia so "we are watching closely to see how the situation influences" our economy, Motegi said.
