Tokyo, Sep 3 (Reuters) Japan slapped additional sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear programme today, following the United
States in pressuring Tehran despite Tokyo’s reliance on oil imports from the country.
The measures that go beyond requirements in a UN Security Council resolution include restrictions such as banning financial activity with 15 designated Iranian banks that could contribute to nuclear activities — a step that could affect some Japanese major banks.
It halted new energy-related investment by not allowing medium to long-term export credit commitments for trade with
Iran.
But the government did not impose any restrictions on oil imports from Iran — Japan’s No 4 crude supplier after Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar. In 2009, Japan got some 10 percent of its crude oil from Iran, importing about 421,000 barrels per day (bpd).
”We took those steps as they are necessary to push for nuclear non-proliferation and prevent its nuclear development,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku told a news conference.
”We have traditionally close relations with Iran and from that standpoint, we will patiently encourage the country towards a peaceful and diplomatic solution,” he added.
Resource-poor Japan values its relations with Iran, which is traditionally friendly towards Tokyo, but it has been urging Tehran to respond to global calls to suspend nuclear enrichment activities and return to the egotiating table.
Its crude oil imports from Iran accounted for 95 percent of the 866.7 billion yen (10.3 billion dollar) in imports from the Islamic republic last year.
The United States and other Western powers fear Iran’s nuclear work is aimed at bomb-making, a charge Tehran denies.
Under the new measures, Japan will prohibit the provision of insurance/reinsurance services to Iran, double the blacklist of
targets for asset freezes, call on oil and gas-related firms to exercise due diligence with new projects such as exploration and
development of refining capacity.
Japan approved sanctions against Iran in early August in line with the UN Security Council resolution 1929, but US officials have
urged Tokyo to follow the European Union in adopting tougher sanctions.
As international scrutiny of companies dealing with Iran grows, Toyota Motor Corp has suspended auto exports to the country indefinitely since June. –UNI