Tokyo’s latest embargo follows the Group of Seven meeting held in Hiroshima last week, where the bloc’s leaders vowed to “starve Russia of G7 technology, industrial equipment, and services that support its war machine.”

The new Japanese penalties include “an asset freeze of Russian individuals and groups, a ban on the export of goods to Russia’s military-related organisations, and a ban on the export of construction and engineering services to Russia,” according to top government spokesperson Hirokazu Matsuno.

The asset freeze targets 17 individuals and 78 groups, including high-level military officials, while the 80 organisations hit with export restrictions include the Russian mobile phone operator MegaFon, according to the Japanese government.

The United States, Britain and the European Union have all announced fresh punishments against Moscow recently, as well as commitments of more military aid to Ukraine, including F-16 fighters.

Matsuno also opposed Russian ambitions to install tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced on Thursday that Moscow has begun transferring nuclear weapons to his country.