Japan Eases Arms Export Rules, Ukraine Hopes for Deeper Cooperation
Following Japan's relaxation of arms export rules, Ukraine's Ambassador to Japan expressed hope for future military equipment provision to help resist Russia's invasion. Japan's policy allows exceptions for exports to conflict zones if they align with its security interests.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 12:55
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Central News Agency (CNA) — Tokyo, May 1st, comprehensive foreign news report. Ukraine's Ambassador to Japan told Reuters that Japan's relaxation of arms export rules paves the way for Tokyo to potentially provide military equipment to help Ukraine resist the Russian invasion in the future.
Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Yurii Lutovinov stated in an interview, "This allows us to start a dialogue. Theoretically, this is a very significant step."
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's decision last week to ease arms export rules is the latest move in Japan's gradual softening of its post-war pacifist stance, drawing widespread attention at a time when conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are straining Western arms production.
Although the new rules still maintain restrictions on exports to war zones, they allow for exceptions when it aligns with Japan's security interests, which Kyiv hopes to benefit from.
Facing China's growing military power, Japan links Ukraine's fate to its own security. With Japanese territory being as close as about 110 kilometers from Taiwan, Tokyo is concerned that if Beijing attempts to seize Taiwan, Japan could also be drawn into the conflict.
Shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, then-Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned, "Today's Ukraine could be tomorrow's East Asia." He approved Japan's largest military expansion plan since World War II, which Prime Minister Takaichi has further accelerated since taking office last October.
Lutovinov said, "If Ukraine falls, it will trigger a huge domino effect. Therefore, from a security perspective, the Indo-Pacific region and the European continent are inseparable."
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister's Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Sanae Takaichi has not publicly expressed support for arms exports to Ukraine so far. During a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last November, she stated that "Japan stands with Ukraine" and supports its "efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace as soon as possible."
Like other countries interested in procuring Japanese military equipment, Ukraine will first need to sign a defense and equipment technology transfer agreement with Tokyo. Japan has already signed such agreements with 18 countries, including Germany, Australia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Lutovinov stated that due to Japan's high sensitivity regarding defense export issues, Ukraine is cautiously advancing relevant discussions.
He said that in the short term, Japan could fund Ukraine's development of air defense systems to reduce reliance on US-made "Patriot missiles."
Lutovinov also mentioned that discussions are currently underway about whether Japan will join NATO's "Ukraine Priority Requirements List" (PURL) program, which funds Kyiv's procurement of US military equipment.
He added that Japanese companies could also help Ukraine diversify its sources of electronic and micro components, which are crucial for the thousands of drones deployed on the front lines.
Lutovinov concluded, "We are not just a country that asks; we also provide. If Japanese technology can be combined with Ukrainian experience, high-level products will be created." (Translated by: Hsu Jui-cheng) 1150501.
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Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Yurii Lutovinov stated in an interview, "This allows us to start a dialogue. Theoretically, this is a very significant step."
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's decision last week to ease arms export rules is the latest move in Japan's gradual softening of its post-war pacifist stance, drawing widespread attention at a time when conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are straining Western arms production.
Although the new rules still maintain restrictions on exports to war zones, they allow for exceptions when it aligns with Japan's security interests, which Kyiv hopes to benefit from.
Facing China's growing military power, Japan links Ukraine's fate to its own security. With Japanese territory being as close as about 110 kilometers from Taiwan, Tokyo is concerned that if Beijing attempts to seize Taiwan, Japan could also be drawn into the conflict.
Shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, then-Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned, "Today's Ukraine could be tomorrow's East Asia." He approved Japan's largest military expansion plan since World War II, which Prime Minister Takaichi has further accelerated since taking office last October.
Lutovinov said, "If Ukraine falls, it will trigger a huge domino effect. Therefore, from a security perspective, the Indo-Pacific region and the European continent are inseparable."
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister's Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Sanae Takaichi has not publicly expressed support for arms exports to Ukraine so far. During a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last November, she stated that "Japan stands with Ukraine" and supports its "efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace as soon as possible."
Like other countries interested in procuring Japanese military equipment, Ukraine will first need to sign a defense and equipment technology transfer agreement with Tokyo. Japan has already signed such agreements with 18 countries, including Germany, Australia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Lutovinov stated that due to Japan's high sensitivity regarding defense export issues, Ukraine is cautiously advancing relevant discussions.
He said that in the short term, Japan could fund Ukraine's development of air defense systems to reduce reliance on US-made "Patriot missiles."
Lutovinov also mentioned that discussions are currently underway about whether Japan will join NATO's "Ukraine Priority Requirements List" (PURL) program, which funds Kyiv's procurement of US military equipment.
He added that Japanese companies could also help Ukraine diversify its sources of electronic and micro components, which are crucial for the thousands of drones deployed on the front lines.
Lutovinov concluded, "We are not just a country that asks; we also provide. If Japanese technology can be combined with Ukrainian experience, high-level products will be created." (Translated by: Hsu Jui-cheng) 1150501.
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you provide helps protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.