Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced Friday that Japan will strengthen sanctions against Russia in three areas, including financial institutions and military equipment exports.

Japan will also do its utmost to limit the economic impact on the country from the fallout from the Ukraine crisis, Kishida told a press conference. 

The announcement came nearly a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized "a special military operation" in the Donbas region of Ukraine.

Kyiv has confirmed military targets across the Eastern European nation were under attack and severed diplomatic relations with Moscow.

Some Western countries, including the U.S. and the UK, as well as the EU have already announced fresh new sanctions on Russia, including asset freezes on banks.

(With input from Reuters)