Japan PM signals alignment with NATO on Ukraine security

  

Japan PM signals alignment with NATO on Ukraine security



Ishiba sees 'role' for Tokyo, with eye on Asian flash points.  Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has indicated his country may play some kind of role in security guarantees for Ukraine, in a show of unity with NATO as Tokyo eyes the war's implications for security in Asia.

While there is no official Japanese military presence in Ukraine, some Japanese individuals, including former military personnel, have traveled to Ukraine to fight on the Ukrainian side against Russia. These individuals are not representing the Japanese government and are acting as volunteers. Japan has also expressed interest in participating in a NATO command for the support of Ukraine and has increased its support for Ukraine through humanitarian aid and potentially indirect arms supplies.


1. Japanese Volunteers Fighting in Ukraine:

    A small number of Japanese citizens, some of whom are former members of Japan's Self-Defense Forces, have joined the Ukrainian military or volunteer units like the Georgian Legion.

    These individuals are not authorized by the Japanese government and are acting as volunteers, often joining after being inspired by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's calls to defend the country.

    One volunteer, Yuya Motomura, stated that he wanted to defend the country and felt a sense of duty to help.

    Some volunteers have expressed a sense of frustration with Japan's pacifist constitution and the restrictions it places on military action.

2. Japan's Official Support for Ukraine:

    Japan has been providing humanitarian aid and financial support to Ukraine, including a $3 billion loan agreement.

While Japan's constitution restricts military aid, it has made amendments to its arms export regulations, allowing for the export of military equipment manufactured in Japan under foreign licenses to the countries from which the licenses originate.

This has allowed Japan to indirectly support arms supplies to Ukraine by, for example, exporting missiles for the Patriot system to the U.S. to replenish their stocks.

Japan has also expressed interest in participating in a NATO command for the support of Ukraine, known as NSATU, which is headquartered in Germany.

This participation would likely focus on areas like cybersecurity, countering hybrid threats, and enhancing Ukraine's resilience, rather than combat operations.