Japan steps up sanctions against Russia over Ukraine to be in line with G-7 nations

TOKYO – Japan says it has stepped up sanctions against Russia over the unrest in Ukraine to be in line with other Group of Seven members before they meet in New York.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Wednesday the new sanctions include banning some Russian banks from issuing securities in Japan and tightening restrictions on arms exports to Russia over its support for the separation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Japan's past sanctions were more modest than those of the U.S. and the European Union, apparently because of Tokyo's reluctance to complicate relations with Russia, including economic ties and talks over disputed islands that Japan hopes to make progress on.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida will join his G-7 counterparts later this week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.