Japan rules out lethal arms transfers to Ukraine

Japan is not currently considering supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine, its embassy in Moscow said in a statement, TASS reports.

Commenting on recent changes to national principles governing the transfer of defence equipment and technology, the diplomats stated: “To date, our country has not supplied Ukraine with lethal or destructive equipment, nor is it currently considering the possibility of doing so. Furthermore, it should be noted that since Japan has not concluded an agreement with Ukraine on the transfer of defense equipment and technology, Ukraine cannot be a recipient.”

“In addition, we believe that the situation in Ukraine meets the definition of a situation in a ‘country where hostilities are currently taking place within the framework of an armed conflict’,” the embassy added.

On April 21, the Japanese government formally approved revisions to its so-called “three principles” governing the transfer of defence-related equipment, a move that effectively loosens restrictions on arms exports, including those involving lethal weapons.

Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador to Moscow Akira Muto was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, where a protest was lodged over reports that a Japanese company had signed an investment agreement with a Ukrainian developer of combat drones.

According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow views such developments in the context of what it describes as “systematic criminal provocations by the Kiev regime,” including the use of drones against civilian facilities and populations on Russian territory.

Zakharova said this provides grounds to consider the reported cooperation “as openly hostile and damaging” to Russia’s security interests, including the protection of civilians.

By Vafa Guliyeva