TOKYO — Japan is sending bulletproof vests, helmets, and other defense supplies to Ukraine to help the country fight Russia’s invasion — a step Israel has declined to take, despite Ukrainian requests, sufficing with humanitarian aid shipments for the time being.
It is a rare move by Japan, which has a principle of not shipping defense supplies to countries in conflict.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno tells reporters that shipping and other logistical details are being finalized after a decision by the National Security Council.
Bulletproof vests, helmets, tents, as well as generators, food, winter clothes, and medical supplies will be delivered by Self-Defense Force aircraft, Matsuno says.
The planned shipment comes after a request from Ukraine. Japan, because of its pacifist principles, is supplying only non-lethal goods, Matsuno says.
“[Russia’s] unilateral change of status quo by force, which is absolutely unallowable, is an act that shakes the foundation of international order,” he said. “International society is sticking together and taking unprecedented steps to support Ukraine.”
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