Tokyo [Japan], February 10 (HBTV): Japan is considering closer cooperation with NATO to support Ukraine by providing essential non-lethal defence equipment, according to a report by Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.
Several NATO officials told NHK that Tokyo is expected to formally announce its participation in the alliance’s Ukraine support framework in the near future, marking another step in Japan’s expanding security engagement with Europe.
The move comes amid sustained international efforts to support Ukraine’s defence against Russia, more than three years after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The conflict escalated following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its backing of separatists in eastern Ukraine, developments that Kyiv and its allies have described as violations of international law.
In July 2025, NATO and the United States established a new mechanism to coordinate the purchase and delivery of US-manufactured munitions and military equipment to Ukraine. The framework was created to streamline assistance, ensure steady supplies and share the financial burden among allies. Twenty NATO member states have pledged contributions, including Germany and the Netherlands, along with partners such as Australia and New Zealand.
Under the mechanism, Ukraine has already received missiles for its Patriot air defence systems and other critical equipment to help protect cities and infrastructure from missile and drone attacks. Western officials have said the framework has reduced delays and improved coordination among donor countries.
Japanese officials have stressed that Tokyo’s role would remain limited to non-lethal assistance, in line with the country’s pacifist constitution and long-standing defence policies. NATO sources cited by NHK said Japan is likely to provide financial support for equipment such as radar systems, bulletproof vests and other defensive gear, rather than weapons or ammunition.
If confirmed, Japan’s participation would highlight its growing involvement in global security issues and its support for Ukraine alongside NATO, while adhering to domestic legal constraints.
(ANI)