Japan's finance ministry says it is clamping down on financial transactions and money transfers connected to Afghanistan's Taleban rulers.
As of Saturday, banks and other financial institutions will be prohibited from dealing with five companies and 160 persons linked by the United Nations to the Taleban without first getting government approval. Wire transfers to accounts in Afghanistan and to persons outside that country linked to the Taleban are specifically targeted. Reuters reports that deposits held by Japanese banks and loans to Taleban-connected persons are also included in the restrictions.
Japan's new financial restrictions come in the wake of the U-N Security Council's call for a freeze on Taleban assets and those believed to be held by accused terrorist Osaka bin Laden.