Headlines

Japan will carefully consider measures to pressure Russia, finance minister says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 16, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google
Japan will carefully consider measures to pressure Russia, finance minister says
Global Banking & Finance Awards 2026 — Call for Entries

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan's Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said on Tuesday the government will carefully consider what measures would be most effective in pressuring Russia, while noting challenges in

Japan's Finance Minister Discusses Strategies to Pressure Russia

Japan's Approach to Sanctioning Russia

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan's Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said on Tuesday the government will carefully consider what measures would be most effective in pressuring Russia, while noting challenges in imposing higher tariffs on countries buying Russian oil.

Coordination with G7 Nations

His comments come after the U.S. urged the Group of Seven nations on Friday to impose tariffs on buyers of Russian oil during a call with G7 finance ministers as they discussed further sanctions on Russia.

Challenges in Imposing Tariffs

"It's important that Japan thoroughly consider what measures would be most effective and coordinate with other G7 countries," Kato said in a regular press conference.

However, Kato said it would be difficult to impose higher tariffs on specific countries just for their purchases of Russian oil, as long as they comply with the World Trade Organization rules.

(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by Himani Sarkar)

Key Takeaways

  • Japan is considering measures to pressure Russia.
  • Finance Minister Kato emphasizes G7 coordination.
  • Challenges exist in imposing tariffs on Russian oil buyers.
  • Compliance with WTO rules is a concern.
  • The U.S. urges G7 nations to impose oil tariffs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Japan's Finance Minister say about measures against Russia?
Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato stated that Japan will carefully consider effective measures to pressure Russia, emphasizing the importance of coordination with other G7 nations.
What recent discussions influenced Japan's stance on Russian oil?
Kato's comments followed a call from the U.S. urging G7 nations to impose tariffs on buyers of Russian oil, as part of discussions on further sanctions.
What challenges did Kato mention regarding tariffs on Russian oil?
Kato noted that it would be difficult to impose higher tariffs on specific countries for purchasing Russian oil, as long as they comply with World Trade Organization rules.

Tags

Related Articles

More from Headlines

Explore more articles in the Headlines category