RUSUTSU, Japan — The world's leading industrial powers have threatened to deploy "financial and other measures'' against those responsible for violence in the runup to last month's presidential election in Zimbabwe.

The Group of Eight released a statement Tuesday in which they condemned attacks against opponents of President Robert Mugabe.

Canada and Japan indicated at the outset of this week's G8 summit in the northern Japanese resort town of Toyako that they would urge their counterparts to issue a stand-alone statement on Zimbabwe.

The statement reiterates what some G8 members have already said on their own -- namely, that they will not recognize the legitimacy of Mugabe's government.

Mugabe scored an easy victory in last month's widely condemned presidential run-off ballot.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai dropped out of the campaign a week before the vote, citing widespread violence and intimidation of his supporters.

Canada has already said it will impose restrictions on travel, work and study on senior Zimbabwean government, military and police officials, and their families.

Any aircraft registered in Zimbabwe will also be prohibited from landing in Canada or using Canadian air space.