Japan imposes new sanctions on Russian billionaire, 16 others

Billionaire Viktor Vekselberg was among individuals targeted in the sanctions by Japan. - TASS/Reuters

TOKYO (Reuters): Japan has decided to freeze assets of an additional 17 Russian individuals, bringing the total number targeted by sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine to 61, the Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday (March 15).

The step was taken after the United States on Friday imposed sanctions on a slew of Russian individuals including billionaire Viktor Vekselberg and 12 members of the Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament.