Japan mulls joining NATO initiative to support Ukraine | World News

Japan is considering closer cooperation with NATO to support Ukraine by providing essential non-lethal defense 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 support framework for Ukraine in the near future, marking another step in Japan’s growing security relations with Europe.

The move comes as international efforts continue to defend Ukraine against Russia, more than three years after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The war has its roots in long-standing tensions between the two countries, dating back to Ukraine’s independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Relations deteriorated sharply after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. These events culminated in the 2022 invasion, which Russia described as a “special military operation” but which Ukraine and its allies condemned as a violation of international law.

In July 2025, NATO and the United States established a new mechanism to coordinate the purchase and delivery of US-made munitions and military equipment to Ukraine. The initiative was designed to facilitate aid, ensure stable supplies and share the financial burden among allies. Twenty NATO member states have pledged to contribute to the framework, including Germany and the Netherlands, as well as close partners such as Australia and New Zealand.

Through this mechanism, Ukraine has already received missiles for its Patriot air defense systems and other critical equipment, strengthening its ability to protect cities and infrastructure from Russian missile and drone attacks. Western officials say the framework helps reduce delays and improve coordination among donor countries.

But Japanese officials have emphasized that Tokyo’s role will be limited to non-lethal aid, in line with the country’s pacifist constitution and long-standing defense policies. According to NATO sources cited by NHK, Japan is likely to provide financial support for equipment such as radar systems, bulletproof vests and other defense equipment rather than weapons or ammunition.

If Japan’s accession is confirmed, it would underline its growing willingness to participate in global security affairs and support Ukraine alongside NATO, while adhering to its own domestic legal constraints.