Japan will impose additional sanctions against Iran over its nuclear ambitions, Foreign Minister Koichiro Genba said Friday.
The sanctions, approved by the Cabinet, target 106 institutions, one individual and three banks linked to Iran, Genba said.
The fresh steps came as the International Atomic Energy Agency adopted in mid-November a resolution criticizing Iran for not halting its nuclear activities, he said.
The United States, which imposed additional sanctions on Iran a few days after the resolution, wants Japan and other close allies to reduce imports of crude oil from the Islamic country. Iran accounts for nearly 10 percent of Japan's overall oil imports.
Genba said this round of sanctions doesn't affect the nation's oil purchases.
With the expansion, Japan will be freezing the assets of 267 institutions, 66 individuals and 20 banks that could contribute to Iran's development of nuclear weapons, Genba said.
The three banks are Onerbank Zao of Belarus, and Ansar Bank and Mehr Bank, both headquartered in Tehran, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Permission from the government is now required to make financial transactions with them under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law.