TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan’s Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said on Tuesday the government will carefully consider what measures would be most effective in pressuring Russia, while noting challenges in imposing higher tariffs on countries buying Russian oil.
His comments come after the U.S. urged the Group of Seven nations on Friday to impose tariffs on buyers of Russian oil during a call with G7 finance ministers as they discussed further sanctions on Russia.
“It’s important that Japan thoroughly consider what measures would be most effective and coordinate with other G7 countries,” Kato said in a regular press conference.
However, Kato said it would be difficult to impose higher tariffs on specific countries just for their purchases of Russian oil, as long as they comply with the World Trade Organization rules.
(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
