Ігор Вишневський Weapon 1 May 2026, 11:53

Japanese weapons and components may finally be widely provided to Ukraine. What is known about Japan's change in policy on this issue?

Japan’s relaxation of arms export rules paves the way for negotiations with Ukraine on this sensitive issue.

This was stated in a comment to Reuters by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Japan, Yuriy Lutovinov.

«This allows us to talk. Theoretically, this is a very big step forward,» he emphasized.

The publication recalls that last week Japan announced a certain departure from the strict pacifist position that was introduced after World War II, and a relaxation of the rules for arms exports from this country, introduced by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

«While the reform maintains controls on exports to conflict zones, it allows for exceptions that serve Tokyo’s security interests, and Kyiv hopes to take advantage of this caveat,» Reuters writes.

According to the publication, in order to be able to purchase Japanese weapons and equipment, Ukraine will need to conclude an agreement on the transfer of defense technologies. Japan has such agreements with 18 countries.

According to Lutovinov, Ukraine is acting cautiously on this issue due to the sensitivity of the topic of defense exports for Japan.

In addition, as the ambassador says, Japan can help finance Kyiv’s development of an air defense system that will reduce our country’s dependence on Patriot missiles.

«We have all the necessary industrial capacity for production. But we need investment. We need funds,» he said.

Also, according to his information, discussions are ongoing regarding Japan’s contribution to PURL, a program that finances the purchase of American-made equipment for Ukraine.

Among other things, Japanese firms could help Ukraine diversify sources of electronics and microcomponents needed to manufacture drones, as the Ukrainian drone market is currently dominated by Chinese-made components.

«We are not a country that just asks. We are a country that is also going to give something in return. If we can combine Japanese technology and Ukrainian experience, it will be a high-class product,» Lutovinov concluded.

As dev.ua reported, the Ukrainian military has received the first Terra A1 interceptors, created together with the Japanese company Terra Drone, and is already testing them in real conditions to combat Shahed-type strike drones.

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