Japan imposes additional sanctions on Iran
TOKYO, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Japan imposed additional sanctionsagainst Iran over its disputed nuclear programme on Friday,following the lead of the United States in putting pressure onTehran despite Tokyo's reliance on oil imports from the country. The fresh measures that go beyond requirements in a U.N.Security Council resolution include financial restrictions suchas banning banking activities with designated Iranian banks, aswell as halting new energy-related investment. Japan had approved sanctions against Iran in early August inline with the U.N. Security Council resolution 1929, but U.S.officials have urged Tokyo to follow the European Union inadopting tougher sanctions. Iran is now Japan's No.4 crude supplier after Saudi Arabia,United Arab Emirates and Qatar. In 2009, Japan imported about421,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude from Iran. (Reporting by Yoko Nishikawa; Editing by Joseph Radford)
