Will Japan arm Ukraine as North Korea reinforces Russia?

Japan’s unwavering support for Ukraine is being tested as North Korea deepens its military alliance with Russia – raising questions about whether Tokyo will start supplying arms to the embattled European nation.

During an unannounced visit to Kyiv last weekend, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya met his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, to discuss the thousands of North Korean troops deployed to Russia to support its war effort.

Iwaya expressed “grave concern” over the growing military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, touched on the need for fresh sanctions, and reassured Ukraine of Japan’s continued “strong support”.

Perhaps the most concrete outcome of the visit was an agreement to begin exchanging classified security information and launch a high-level dialogue between their foreign and defence officials aimed at enhancing defence coordination.

In a separate meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Iwaya also renewed Japan’s commitment to provide generators and other equipment to help Ukraine meet its energy needs as winter approaches.