Japan imposes visa bans on 23 people in new sanctions on Russia

Japanese PM Shinzo AbeJapan imposed visa bans on 23 people on Tuesday as it followed the United States and the European Union in announcing expanded sanctions against Russia over its actions in Ukraine.

Moscow has already denounced what it called "Cold War" tactics for the new US and EU sanctions imposed on Russian and Ukrainian allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Japan expresses serious concern that Russian moves to violate Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, including the annexation of Crimea, are continuing," Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said in a statement, Reuters reported.

The Foreign Ministry did not disclose the names, titles or nationalities of the 23 people hit with the new visa bans. A ministry official said Japan's list was based on those compiled by the United States and the European Union.