Japan's Pm Orders Russia Sanctions, Ukraine Support To Continue
Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has ordered the government to continue providing support to Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia by closely coordinating with other Group of Seven partners.
Kishida gave the instructions at a meeting of relevant Cabinet ministers on Tuesday, on the eve of six months into Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The prime minister, who is now isolating due to catching the coronavirus, attended the meeting online. Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu, Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, Finance Minister Suzuki Shunichi and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi were among those who took part.
With no end to the war in sight anytime soon, participants shared the latest updates about the fighting as well as diplomacy and trends of global commodity and consumer prices affected by the invasion.
Kishida instructed the ministers to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals still in Ukraine.
He also told them to make sure Japan's energy supply is stable and to build a defense posture capable of handling the global security landscape.
After the meeting, Finance Minister Suzuki told reporters that the G7 has closely coordinated efforts and imposed broad financial sanctions that have hurt Russia's economy, but not enough to end the invasion.