Japanese sanctions against Iran take hold

Japan Monday put into effect its May 23 decision to tighten economic sanctions against Iran in support of US efforts to free the American hostages. Trade officials said all export and service contracts with Iran were being checked, retroactive to Nov. 4, and would be subject to approval by Japan's trade and finance ministers. Excluded from the sanctions are food and medicine and a $3.2 billion joint petrochemical project at Bandar Khomeini in Iran.