Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi announced at a press conference on Friday a “partial” lifting of sanctions on Syria, a decision that excludes unfreezing the assets of deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his aides.

Iwaya said that the Japanese Cabinet made the decision based on the current situation in Syria, Japan’s contribution to the international effort to resolve this issue and considering the decisions taken by major powers.

The Japanese decision includes lifting the asset freeze on Syrian government financial institutions, namely the Industrial Bank, the People’s Credit Bank, the Savings Bank and the Agricultural Cooperative Bank.

There are 59 individuals and 31 entities connected to the former Syrian president and his associates targeted for asset freeze.

Under Japan’s Foreign Exchange Law, transfers of assets between persons designated for asset freezing are prohibited without prior notification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and require authorization from the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry.

Iwaya said Japan has been working with the interim government in Syria and the international community to achieve a peaceful and stable transition. The Japanese Foreign Minister expressed his hope the Syrian government would continue its cooperation with the international community to achieve a peaceful and stable transition. 

This year, Japan has provided $5 million in aid to Syria, including medical assistance, through UNICEF “to support the Syrian people,” the Japanese Foreign Minister said.