"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan on the Sanctions against Russia over the situation in Ukraine

[Place]
[Date] April 29, 2014
[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
[Notes]
[Full text]

1. Japan expresses grave concern for Russia's continuous actions which violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, such as the annexation of Crimea, and the fact that no improvement has been made in the situation despite the Geneva accord on April 17. Taking these circumstances into serious consideration, the G7, including Japan, agreed to move swiftly to impose additional sanctions on Russia, as stated in the G7 Leaders' Statement dated April 26.

2. From this point of view, Japan has decided to stop issuing visas to enter Japan to a total of 23 individuals who are considered to have contributed to the violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity for the time being.

3. Japan calls on all the parties concerned to behave in a cautious manner with self-restraint and responsibility, and sincerely hopes that the situation in Ukraine will be normalized through diplomatic dialogues, and particularly that the Ukrainian presidential election in May will take place successfully.

4. Japan will also continue to play a proactive role for diplomatic solution of the issues surrounding Ukraine, through Japan's efforts including assistance to Council of Europe (CoE) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) up to 800,000 euros, which Japan recently decided to extend.