GRNLive Foreign Correspondents Network

BBC: Japan has imposed new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme.

The measures - which go beyond than those imposed by the UN Security Council - ban transactions with some Iranian banks, and also target energy-related investments.

Japan approved sanctions against Iran last month, but US officials have been urging Tokyo to adopt tougher measures. Many states fear Iran's nuclear programme is developing atomic weapons; Iran insists its programme is peaceful.

Daily Telegraph correspondent Julian Ryall in Tokyo and Guardian correspondent Saeed Kamali Dehghan in London are available to comment on this story.