Japan's easing of arms export rules paves the way for negotiations that could lead to Tokyo supplying military equipment in the future to assist Ukraine in countering the Russian invasion, Kyiv's Ambassador to Japan Yurii Lutovinov told Reuters, UNN reports.
"This allows us to conduct negotiations. Theoretically, it is a very big step forward,"
While the rule revision maintains control over exports to conflict zones, it allows for exceptions that serve Tokyo's security interests—a caveat that the publication writes Kyiv hopes to utilize.
Japan eases arms export rules, moving away from post-war pacifism21.04.26, 10:40
Japan links Ukraine's fate to its own security as it faces China's growing military power. Given that Japanese territory extends to within 110 km of Taiwan, Tokyo fears that any attempt by Beijing to seize the island could draw it into a conflict.
"If Ukraine falls, it will cause a major domino effect," Ambassador Lutovinov said. "That is why the Indo-Pacific region and the European continent are inseparable in terms of our security."
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has not publicly given any indication that she would support arms exports to Ukraine. In November, she told President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that "Japan stands with Ukraine" and supports its "efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace" as soon as possible, according to her office's readout of the phone call.
Like other countries interested in Japanese military equipment, Ukraine needs to conclude a defense equipment and technology transfer agreement with Tokyo. Japan has signed such agreements with 18 countries, including Germany, Australia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Lutovinov stated that Ukraine is proceeding cautiously due to the sensitivity of the defense export issue in Japan.
In the shorter term, he said, Tokyo could help finance Kyiv's development of an air defense system, which would reduce its dependence on American Patriot missiles, the shortage of which is constantly growing.
"We have all the necessary industrial capacity for production. But we need investment. We need funds," he said.
Discussions are also underway regarding whether Japan could contribute to the NATO PURL initiative, a program that finances the procurement of American-made equipment for Ukraine, Lutovinov said.
"Every country can participate in this mechanism while adhering to its own legal framework. It could also be non-lethal weapons," Lutovinov said.
Japanese firms could help Ukraine diversify its sources of electronics and micro-components needed for the thousands of drones deployed on the front lines, he stated.
The Takaichi administration plans to present a defense strategy and military procurement plan this year, which is expected to include a significant increase in the number of air, sea, and land-based drones, similar to those Ukraine has used to repel Russian attacks.
"We are not a country that just asks. We are a country that is also going to provide," Lutovinov said. "If we combine Japanese technology and Ukrainian experience, the result will be a top-class product."