Japan supports EU’s decision on partial ban on Russian oil

SANAA, May 31 (YPA) – Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno affirmed  that the government of Japan supports the EU decision to impose partial embargo on import of Russian oil.

“Oil export is an important means of acquiring foreign currency for Russia, and I welcome the fact that the EU agreed to work together on measures that will lead to further reduction of our energy dependence on Russia,” he said  at press conferenceon Tuesday

Japan also supports the G7 intent to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, Matsuno added

“It was a very difficult decision for our country, who is almost entirely dependent on import of oil, but now is the time when the unity of the G7 is hugely important,” he said.

On Monday, EU leaders negotiated the sixth package of sanctions against Russia, which includes, in particular, partial embargo on import of Russian oil and cutting Sberbank off the SWIFT payment system.

E.M