Japan has expanded its list of goods banned from being exported to Russia, the Kommersant business dailyreported Thursday, citing Japans Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.Until now, Japans export ban included electronic components and equipment, machine parts, communication equipment and tools used to manufacture semiconductors.A sixth major category in Japans export ban now includes automated computer numerical control machine tools.According to a statement from Japans Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry cited by Kommersant, the latest additions to the ban were included with the cooperation of leading countries, including [Japan's ], based on the results of analyzing and identifying the details in Russian weapons used in Ukraine.On Thursday, the Japanese ministrys trade control chiefmethis counterparts from the United States and South Korea to step up three-way cooperation on export controls against Russia.Tokyos expanded export ban also came on the same week that Japans Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Saito Kenmet Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.Japan has joined Western sanctions against Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.
However, Tokyo has kept stakes in some of its joint energy projects with Moscow to ensure its energy security.