A package of Japanese sanctions against Sberbank and Alfa-Bank came into force

Sberbank logo. File photoTOKYO, May 12 A package of Japanese sanctions that freezes the assets of Sberbank and Alfa Bank, as well as a ban on new investments in Russia, came into force on Thursday, May 12. These sanctions, about the introduction which the Japanese Foreign Ministry announced exactly a month ago, also impose a ban on transactions with these banks. In addition, the new restrictions make it impossible for individuals or legal entities to invest in Russia if they can receive 10% or more of the shares as a result of the operation. The issuance of loans in Japan with a maturity of more than a year is also prohibited. Japan has introduced several packages of sanctions against Russia in light of the events in Ukraine. In particular, it excluded Russia from the most favored nation in trade and imposed a ban on the export of more than 300 goods to the Russian Federation, including semiconductors, radars, sensors, lasers and other equipment, as well as luxury cars and luxury goods. Imports from Russia of 38 types of goods are also prohibited. — veneer, wood chips, cars and motorcycles, beer, wine, vodka and others. In addition, sanctions have been imposed against the largest banks in Russia, several hundred individuals and organizations.