Ukraine Sees Path to Japanese Arms After Tokyo Eases Export Rules

Japan has revised its arms export regulations, creating a potential avenue for Ukraine to receive Japanese military equipment. The overhaul maintains restrictions on exports to conflict zones but allows exceptions that serve Tokyo's security interests, a caveat Kyiv hopes to exploit. Yurii Lutovinov, a Ukrainian embassy official, stated, "This allows us to talk. Theoretically, it's a very big step forward." Japan has linked Ukraine's fate to its own security amid China's growing military power, with Japanese territory extending to within 110 km of Taiwan. Tokyo worries that a Chinese attempt to seize the island could draw Japan into conflict. After Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned that "Ukraine today could be East Asia tomorrow" and approved Japan's largest military build-up since World War II, a plan accelerated by current Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba since taking office in October.