Japan announced a significant expansion of sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. This move is part of an international effort to increase pressure on Russia and stop the ongoing conflict.

Japan will also ban the export of 335 more goods, including small motorcycles and components for special-purpose vehicles such as cranes, to Russia starting on Jan. 23. The aim is to strengthen Japan's response to North Korea's support for Russia and Moscow's use of third countries to evade sanctions.

The United States warned on Wednesday that North Korea is benefiting from its troops fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine, gaining experience that makes Pyongyang "more capable of waging war against its neighbors.

North Korea is learning valuable lessons from fighting against Ukraine, making it an increased threat to its neighbors, a US official said. In recent months, North Korea has sent around 12,000 troops to fight for Russia against Ukraine as part of a new security pact between its leader,

North Korea is “significantly benefiting” from its troops gaining battlefield experience fighting alongside Russian forces as it makes them more capable of waging war against rivals South Korea and Japan,