Japan to partially lift sanctions on Syria

Japan has decided to partially lift its sanctions on Syria to support the country's efforts to achieve stability and development after a long period of authoritarian rule.

The Japanese government approved the policy at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Of the 59 individuals and 31 entities subject to sanctions such as asset freezes, 16 entities will be removed from the sanctions list. They include financial institutions and oil companies.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru told reporters that many of the entities being removed from the sanctions list are expected to play a role in Syria's reconstruction.

He said that stability and development in Syria are directly linked to stability across the entire Middle East, adding that Japan intends to support the country.

The move to ease sanctions is gaining momentum among Western countries.

Following the collapse in December 2024 of more than half a century of autocratic rule by two generations of the Assad family, an interim government is working to rebuild the nation.