Japan faces dilemma in Sakhalin as G-7 vows to quit Russian crude

TOKYO -- Japan will in principle ban oil imports from Russia but retain its interests in two Sakhalin oil and gas development projects, a contradictory decision that runs counter to the West's goal of depriving Moscow of funds to finance its war in Ukraine.

"We will take steps to phase out imports in a way that minimizes the adverse impact," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters Monday, adding that "the unity of the G-7 is most important." But the prime minister did not elaborate on a timeline or specific steps toward weaning Japan off Russian oil.