Japan says its ready to join U.S.-led sanctions on Russia

The confirmation by the world's No. 3 economy comes as the crisis in Europe deepens

Japan on Tuesday said it stood ready to join the United States and other G7 industrialized nations in slapping sanctions on Russia, should President Vladimir Putin order an invasion of Ukraine, Qazet.az reports quoting Reuters.

The confirmation by the world's No. 3 economy comes as the crisis in Europe deepens, with the Russian leader on Monday ordering troops into two breakaway regions in Eastern Ukraine that Russia now recognizes as independent states.