Japan sanctions Chinese companies' trade due to its backing in Russia's conflict with Ukraine

As part of a new wave of sanctions on people and organisations backing Russia's war in Ukraine, Japan placed trade restrictions on Chinese-based businesses, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday.

The latest restrictions also target businesses in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and India. According to Japan's foreign ministry, this is the first time Japan has placed sanctions on Chinese companies related to the conflict in Ukraine.

Targeted companies include Yilufa Electronics Limited, situated in China, and Asia Pacific Links, based in Hong Kong, which supplied microchips for Russian drones.

The restrictions prohibit Japanese companies from exporting to the targeted corporations and are consistent with prior actions enforced by other nations, such as the United States.

According to U.S. officials, China is supporting Moscow's largest military buildup since the Soviet period by giving drone and missile technologies for the war effort in Ukraine.

Last week, the United States increased the scope of its sanctions on Russia by focusing on Chinese businesses that supply Moscow with semiconductors.

In order to guarantee bilateral payments, Beijing and Moscow are also implementing intricate measures, which may subject some Chinese financial companies to penalties.

 (Sources: investing.com, reuters.com)