Japan has unveiled trade restrictions against firms in China, India, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan over their alleged support for Russia’s war on Ukraine.

According to Al-Jazeera, the sanctions announced by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 21 mark the first time Tokyo has targeted China-based companies over their alleged links to the war.

Japanese companies are now prohibited from exporting goods to the sanctioned firms, which include Hong Kong-based Asia Pacific Links Ltd and Yilufa Electronics Limited, based in Shenzhen.

In May, Japan and South Korea announced sanctions against companies and individuals accused of supplying North Korean weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Tokyo has adopted a tougher stance against Moscow than any other leader in Asia, with most of them declining to take sides in the war.

During last year’s G7 summit in Hiroshima, Kishida pledged “unwavering solidarity” with Ukraine while condemning governments who used force to change the status quo.