Japan could join the coalition of Western powers that already supply arms to Ukraine. Tokyo’s Golovnin Telegram Channel reports that a socio-political discussion has started in the island state around the possibility of the move with a view to pushing it through.
Although there is a public consensus in the Land of the Rising Sun against the supply of arms to conflict zones, and there are also direct legislative prohibitions, the ruling parliamentary coalition clearly intends to make an exception for the Ukrainians.
This is due to the fact that all other G7 countries have already supplied the widest range of weapons to the Ukrainian armed forces, and only Japan has so far refrained from such measures.
At the same time, the channel’s message does not specify what weapons can go in favor of Kiev. The only suggestion was for the M270 MLRS multiple rocket launcher system, analogues of which are already in service with the Ukrainian army. Japan, according to open sources, has 99 such facilities.
Moreover, the list of what the Land of the Rising Sun can put on the European theater is potentially quite extensive. First of all, there is the legacy of the Cold War, which the Self-Defense Forces are gradually shedding.
In the field of tank weapons, we are talking about obsolete Type 74 and more advanced vehicles, but still not new Type 90 at all. In addition, Ukraine could potentially receive a number of Japanese infantry fighting vehicles Type 89, as well as Type 73, Type 87 and Type 96 armored personnel carriers. The latter should be replaced in Tokyo with a licensed version of the Patria AMV XP, so disposal in Ukraine may seem a completely justified decision to the Japanese government.
In addition, Japan has many coastal defense batteries with cruise missiles, as well as domestically developed air defense systems.
Photos used: Ministry of Defense of Japan
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