URGENT: Japan to sanction Russian groups over N. Korean arms procurement

Japan's government said Friday it has decided to impose sanctions on nine groups and one individual linked to Russia as well as two Cypriot firms over Moscow's weapons procurements from North Korea amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a press conference that Japan "strongly condemns" arms transfers to Russia from North Korea, which are in violation of related U.N. Security Council resolutions.

© Kyodo News