Key Facts
• On September 12, 2025, Japan reduced the price cap on Russian crude oil.
• The cap was lowered from $60 per barrel to $47.6 per barrel.
• The decision was implemented immediately on the same day.
• Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced the measure during a morning press conference.
• The move aims to strengthen sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
• Japan seeks to contribute to international peace and efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis.
• In 2022, G7 nations set the original $60 per barrel cap on Russian crude oil.
• Transactions exceeding the cap were banned from maritime transport and insurance services.
Summary
Japan has decided to lower the price cap on Russian crude oil from $60 to $47.6 per barrel, effective September 12, 2025. This measure, announced by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, is part of strengthened sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. The initiative aligns with Japan’s commitment to international peace and collaborative efforts to address the Ukraine crisis. The original cap, set by G7 nations in 2022, prohibited maritime transport and insurance for transactions exceeding $60 per barrel. This latest adjustment underscores Japan’s ongoing role in global sanctions against Russia.
