Japan to send defense equipment to Ukraine
17:47 JST, March 4, 2022
The Japanese government on Friday decided to provide defense equipment to Ukraine following its recent invasion by Russia, according to government sources.
Sending equipment such as bulletproof vests and other items to a country under armed attack is a rare move for Japan. The decision was made at a National Security Council meeting held on the day.
Japan has already announced a policy to provide Ukraine with emergency humanitarian aid worth ¥11.5 billion ($100 million), among other assistance. The government concluded, however, that defense-related assistance should also be provided, over fears that the Ukrainian capital, Kiyv, and other key areas could be taken by Russia, the sources said.
The European Union, meanwhile, is set to dispatch weapons worth €450 million (¥58 billion) to Ukraine.
The government based its decision on the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, the sources said.
Transfers are prohibited if equipment is destined for “a country party to a conflict,” defined as “a country against which the U.N. Security Council is taking measures to maintain or restore international peace and security in the event of an armed attack.”
According to the sources, Ukraine does not fall into this category.
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Promotes Revised NISA Investment Program to Young People; Kishida Focusing on Moving Money From Savings to Investment in a Safe Environment
-
84% of People Nationwide Say They Feel Japan’s National Security Is Under Threat
-
“High Probability” 2 MSDF Patrol Helicopters Collided near Torishima Island; 1 Dead, 7 Others Onboard Missing (Update 2)
-
Russia to Ban Non-Registered Vessels from Waters Around Northern Territories From April 11 to 17
-
Japan-U.K. Foreign Ministers Confirm Deepening Cooperation in Security Field; Kamikawa Underscores Importance of NATO Ties
JN ACCESS RANKING
- M6.0 Earthquake Hits Japan’s Tohoku Region; Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi Prefectures Observe 4 on Japanese Scale With No Risk of Tsunami
- China Mutes Memorialization of Reformer Hu Yaobang; Memories Could Spark Critique of Xi Administration
- Shinkansen Services Suspended After Man ‘Searches for Phone’ on Tracks; Disruption Affects About 14,000 Passengers
- U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
- UNRWA Director Describes Catastrophic Destruction in Gaza; Says Relief Trucks Robbed, ‘People’s Hearts Destroyed’