TOKYO: Japanese authorities are ordering Citibank's Japan unit to suspend all sales operations for one month and improve its anti-money laundering measures.

It is the second time in five years that the Financial Services Agency has cited Citibank Japan Ltd. for insufficient monitoring and control of "suspicious transactions."

The FSA says that Citibank's progress has not been sufficient since its first order in September 2004.

Citibank will shut all sales operations at its Japanese retail banking division from July 15 to Aug. 14.