For the first time since 2014, the Japanese government changed legislation regarding the export of weapons and military equipment in order to supply Patriot missiles for anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) to the United States, RBC reports, citing The Japan Times.
“Through measures such as these, we would like to contribute to the defense of a free and open world order based on the rule of law and to ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The new amendments allow the supply of finished defense products, including lethal weapons produced in Japan under a foreign license, to countries that have patents for these products. Japanese authorities emphasized that the upcoming delivery of Patriot missiles is intended to help the United States replenish its own reserves, which were depleted due to active military assistance to Ukraine. At the same time, the amendments adopted by the government also allow for the further transfer of weapons to third countries with the consent of Tokyo.
As noted, the final buyer cannot be a state in a state of war, which excludes direct deliveries to Ukraine. However, opportunities for indirect deliveries remain: the American authorities will be able to send Patriot missiles to Kyiv from their own reserves, promptly replacing them with those purchased from Japan.
Source: Rosbalt
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
