Japan is to impose additional sanctions on Russia following the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, dpa quoted the Japanese government as saying Monday. Japan will freeze assets held by individuals or groups considered to be directly involved in Russia's annexation of Crimea or the instability in Ukraine, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference. Tokyo will also follow the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's recent decision to freeze funding for new projects in Russia and limit imports of Crimea-made products, he added. All 298 passengers and crew were killed when the Boeing 777 bound for Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam went down on July 17 over eastern Ukraine after being hit by a surface-to-air missile, according to the United States. -- SPA 14:13 LOCAL TIME 11:13 GMT تغريد