Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs partially lifted asset freezes and other measures against Syrian companies and organizations, covering 16 companies and organizations. Meanwhile, asset freezes against 59 individuals and 15 organizations will be maintained.
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on 29 September that it would partially lift asset freezes and other measures against Syrian companies and organizations. The 16 companies and organizations covered by the lifting are concentrated in sectors considered essential to reconstruction and recovery, including finance, energy, telecommunications, housing, and agricultural-product distribution.
Previously, in May 2025, sanctions against 4 government-affiliated financial institutions were lifted as part of a review of sanctions following the collapse of the Assad regime. Following this partial lifting, asset freezes and other measures against related individuals and organizations will remain in place, leaving part of the existing sanctions framework intact.
Overseas companies are becoming increasingly involved in Syria's reconstruction business. UAE-based DP World has signed an $800 million memorandum of understanding for investment and will modernize and operate ports, while UCC Holding has entered into a contract to build and operate power-generation facilities. These developments are gaining momentum against the backdrop of reconstruction demand in the Middle East.
Attention is also focused on the Japanese government's future support and cooperation, following the United States' removal of Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism in August 2026 and the restoration of urban functions in Homs Governorate through UN-Habitat grant assistance. The direction of future sanctions reviews and progress on specific reconstruction-business projects will be key points of focus.