Japan Assures It Will Not Supply Military Equipment to Ukraine

Japanese Member of Parliament, Muneo Suzuki, confirmed that Japan would not supply military equipment to Ukraine.

"Japan is the only G7 country that does not supply military equipment to Ukraine. This will continue," Suzuki said, quoted by Sputnik, Wednesday, May 6.

As reported in April, the Japanese government has lifted restrictions on arms exports, effectively opening up the possibility of supplying various types of weapons, including lethal ones, to third parties.

However, weapons can only be supplied to countries that have agreements with Japan regarding the transfer of defense equipment and technology.

Suzuki said the Japanese government was investigating a private company that was cooperating with Ukraine in the production of drones,

Previously, in late March, the Japanese company Terra Drone invested in Ukrainian drone manufacturer Amazing Drones. After the announcement of the deal, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a protest with the Japanese Ambassador to Russia, Akira Muto.

In April, Terra Drone also announced that it had invested in Ukrainian company WinnyLab, which develops and produces fixed-wing drones.

"The Japanese government is currently investigating the activities of the private company," Suzuki said.

According to Suzuki, the Japanese government is not involved in cooperation with Ukraine in the field of drones.

He explained that Japanese private companies, through third countries, are doing what is called cooperation with Ukraine in the field of drone development, and this has been explained in detail in a meeting with Russian government representatives.