Japan’s decision to ease its long-standing restrictions on weapons exports has opened the door to potential defence cooperation with Ukraine, Kyiv’s envoy to Tokyo has said.
“This allows us to talk. Theoretically, it’s a very big step forward,” Yurii Lutovinov told Reuters.
The move by Sanae Takaichi marks a further shift away from Japan’s post-war pacifist stance, as global conflicts place increasing strain on Western arms production.
Careful Path Towards Military Cooperation
While Japan continues to restrict exports to active conflict zones, the updated framework allows exceptions where Tokyo’s security interests are involved a clause Ukraine hopes could eventually apply.
Any transfer of military equipment would require a formal defence technology agreement, something Japan has already concluded with countries including Germany and Australia.
Lutovinov said Kyiv was proceeding cautiously given the political sensitivity surrounding defence exports in Japan.
Ukraine Seeks Missile Defence Investment
In the near term, Ukraine is seeking Japanese investment in domestic air defence systems to reduce reliance on U.S.-made Patriot missile system, which are in increasingly short supply.
“We have all necessary industrial capacities for production. But we need investment. We need funds,” Lutovinov said.
Security Link Between Europe and Indo-Pacific
Japan has increasingly linked Ukraine’s fate to its own security concerns, particularly in light of China’s growing military power and tensions over Taiwan.
Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned after Russia’s 2022 invasion that “Ukraine today could be East Asia tomorrow”, a view that continues to shape Tokyo’s strategic thinking.
“If Ukraine falls, it’s going to be a big domino effect,” Lutovinov said.
Potential Role in NATO Support Mechanisms
Ukraine is also discussing Japan’s possible participation in NATO’s Ukraine funding mechanisms, including the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), which finances military equipment purchases.
Non-NATO countries such as Australia and New Zealand have already joined the initiative.
Japanese firms could also support Ukraine’s defence industry by supplying electronics and components for drone production, helping Kyiv reduce reliance on Chinese-made parts.
Tokyo is expected to unveil a new defence strategy later this year, likely placing greater emphasis on drones across air, sea and land domains areas where Ukraine has gained extensive battlefield experience.
“We are not the country that would like to just ask. We are the country that is going to provide as well,” Lutovinov said, highlighting the potential for combining Japanese technology with Ukrainian combat expertise.
(with inputs from Reuters)
