Japan has announced a partial easing of sanctions on Syria, offering immediate relief to at least four Syrian banks as part of a broader shift in policy.
The decision marks the first significant change in Tokyo’s stance toward Damascus in years and comes in the wake of similar moves by the United States and European Union.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa said the Japanese government intends to support Syria’s recovery and assist its people, many of whom continue to suffer after more than a decade of conflict. Japan also aims to maintain alignment with international partners while contributing to humanitarian efforts.
As part of the first phase, the Japanese government will remove four financial institutions from the list of sanctioned entities. These banks had previously been subject to asset freezes and other financial restrictions as part of Tokyo’s sanctions package against the former Syrian regime.
This shift comes months after a major political upheaval in Syria. Former president Bashar Al-Assad fled the country in December, ending the Baath Party’s decades-long rule. The party had maintained power since 1963, and Assad himself had been president for nearly 25 years. Following his departure, a transitional government was formed under Ahmad Al-Sharaa, a prominent figure in the opposition movement that ultimately removed the regime.
Al-Sharaa was formally declared transitional president in late January, and his leadership has since been recognized by several countries. International observers see Japan’s decision as a sign of growing recognition of the new Syrian administration and its potential role in stabilizing the country.
Japan’s sanctions on Syria were originally imposed as part of coordinated international efforts to pressure the Assad regime over its human rights abuses and brutal suppression of uprisings. The decision to ease some of those measures suggests Tokyo is now betting on a different approach, one that focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Officials have not yet confirmed whether additional sanctions will be lifted in the near future, but sources indicate that more steps could follow depending on developments within Syria and the response of the international community.
For now, the unfreezing of bank assets may help the transitional government access much-needed funds to support recovery projects and essential public services in a country still grappling with economic collapse, damaged infrastructure, and ongoing humanitarian needs.