Japan will ban coal imports from Russia, escalating its sanctions, in some of its strongest moves yet to protest what it considers “outrageous” actions against civilians in Ukraine.
With this action, Japan joined the United States and European Union nations, which announced further sanctions like bans on importing coal and freezing the assets of banks and individuals, including Russian President Vladimir Putin’s daughters.
The decision on coal marked a change for Japan, which initially was slow to line up with Western nations banning coal imports. What is more, trade minister Koichi Hagiuda said Japan would reduce imports gradually while looking for alternative suppliers in the wake of sanctions against Russia.
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According to Reuters, Japan imports nearly all of the coal it consumes, making it the third-largest importer after India and China, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration data.
We would need to find alternative suppliers or we would face difficulties securing domestic coal which could lead to power outages and such. We need to avoid such a situation
Hagiuda said.
Japan will also work to reduce dependence on other Russian energy sources, including oil, and will compile measures to cope with rising fuel and other price by the end of April in order to shield the Japanese economy.
The government will compile comprehensive and emergency measures against surging oil and other prices by the end of April in order to urgently and flexibly respond to their impacts on people’s livelihoods
Furthermore, Japan will coordinate its moves with the United States and European countries, after the Group of Seven (G7) allies issued a statement pledging additional sanctions on Russia in response to its alleged mass killings of civilians in Ukraine.
