A licensing regime is being introduced for them to provide a number of services
On October 2, 2026, Japan introduced a new package of restrictive measures, including 33 organizations, nine individuals, and 35 vessels that it suspects of having links with Russia. Vessels of the so-called shadow fleet have become a separate object of Japanese sanction restrictions for the first time, according to a joint statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan.
A licensing regime for the provision of a number of services is introduced for the 35 vessels: Japanese residents will require government permission to provide these vessels with maritime transport services, recruitment and placement of seafarers, piloting, repair, insurance, and financial services. Permission will also be required for certain transactions related to the sale of vessels, including lending and providing guarantees.
Japanese authorities explained the introduction of the new regime by stating that, according to available data, Russia uses the so-called shadow fleet to transport Russian oil and petroleum products and to generate revenue from their sale, including in circumvention of existing restrictions. The sanctioned vessels are listed by their International Maritime Organization (IMO) numbers.
The restrictions came into effect on October 2 after the publication of the relevant documents in the official gazette of Japan. A transition period is provided for transactions under contracts concluded before the measures entered into force: operations under them do not fall under the new regime until November 1.
The sanctions package also provides for an expansion of the ban on exports to Russia of goods that Japanese authorities classify as products capable of strengthening the country's industrial base. According to Kyodo, the list has been expanded by 102 items, including chemical products and steel products; the fact of the expansion of export restrictions was confirmed by a joint statement of the Japanese ministries.
Japan applies restrictions against Russia based on the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act. In September 2025, Tokyo, in particular, reduced the price cap established for maritime transportation of Russian oil from $60 to $47.60 per barrel.
Source: https://portnews.ru/news/397798/