Japan punishes Russia over Ukraine with import bans, asset freezes

Japan will enforce additional sanctions against Russia over alleged "war crimes" in Ukraine, banning imports of coal and vodka, freezing assets held by major lenders Sberbank and Alfa Bank and halting new investments, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday.The five-point sanctions list is part of Japan's latest efforts to add economic and diplomatic pressure on Russia to prevent further escalation of the war in Ukraine and bring about a cease-fire, Kishida told a press conference.Japan will target an additional 400 individuals for asset freezes, including lawmakers and those linked to the…READ FULL ARTICLE