By It seems Japan is tougher than the United Nations.
Japan has imposed new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme.
The measures – which go beyond than those imposed by the UN Security Council – ban transactions with some Iranian banks, and also target energy-related investments.
Japan approved sanctions against Iran last month, but US officials have been urging Tokyo to adopt tougher measures.
Many states fear Iran’s nuclear programme is developing atomic weapons; Iran insists its programme is peaceful.
Continue reading the main storyJapan is a major importer of Iranian crude oil, but did not impose any restrictions on oil imports from Iran.
“We took those steps as they are necessary to push for nuclear non-proliferation and prevent its nuclear development,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku told a news conference.
- BBC
Japan is doing the right thing. However with China and Russia continuing to provide Iran help, I don’t know how much good it will do. Iran will go nuclear, it is just a matter of time.
4:46 am on September 3rd, 2010 1
It's easy as hell to put sanctions on items you dont give a crap about.
"Japan is a major importer of Iranian crude oil, but did not impose any restrictions on oil imports from Iran."
Exactly.
I expect ROK to follow similar strategies. Money and business trumps everything, folks.
9:02 am on September 3rd, 2010 2
#1,
Read up on the Helms-Burton Act. Not only was it ironically arrogant (so much so that it was parodied in the Canadian parliament (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godfrey-Milliken_Bill)), it was equally hypocritical as it was relaxed to allow American businesses with Cuba (on humanitarian grounds, of course…wink, wink, nudge, nudge).
12:24 am on September 5th, 2010 3
Even if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, it won't have them for long.