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