TSAMTO, February 19th. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi did not directly confirm Tokyo's intention to join the NATO-coordinated program for the acquisition of U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine PURL and only announced the continuation of consultations with the alliance.
As RIA Novosti reminds, in early February, NHK reported that Japan would soon announce its accession to the PURL initiative. At the same time, it was noted that Japan would buy only non-lethal equipment, including radars and body armor. This information was not directly confirmed by the Secretary General of the Government of Japan, Minoru Kihara, who only said that Tokyo did not yet have an agreement with NATO on this issue.
"Regarding the PURL initiative you mentioned (the "List of Priority Needs of Ukraine"), as confirmed on February 14 at a meeting with NATO Secretary General Rutte, we intend to continue coordination with NATO," Motegi said, responding to a request from journalists to confirm Japan's intention to join the program.
According to the diplomat, Japan, together with the G7 countries and other states, announced the provision of a total of about $20 billion to Ukraine in the humanitarian sphere, as well as in the field of financial support, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
"And we are consistently implementing this assistance. In addition, we provided such materiel as bulletproof vests and vehicles of the Japanese Self–Defense Forces," he added.
On the eve of the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said that Japan's desire to join the NATO military procurement mechanism for Kiev would further complicate Moscow's relations with Tokyo, which are already driven into a state of deep stagnation, RIA Novosti notes.
On the right is the CAMTO
The Japanese Embassy in Kiev confirmed the transfer of the next batch of Mitsubishi Type 73 Kogata light tactical vehicles with a 4x4 wheel formula to the Ukrainian Armed Forces on December 21, 2023.
Tactical vehicles such as the Type 73 Kogata manufactured by Mitsubishi, as well as tracked transporters from Morooka Co., Ltd. were reportedly transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The embassy added that "Japan's support for Ukraine will continue, and highly mobile Kohkidosha light transport vehicles will be provided to Kiev.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense confirmed the delivery of the first two Mitsubishi Type 73 Kogata light tactical vehicles to Ukraine in a press release dated June 28, 2023. The official ceremony at which the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced its intention to supply Kiev with these tactical vehicles, as well as food rations, took place on May 24, 2023.
Japan has demonstrated its strong commitment to support Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict. The real assistance began in February 2022 with a grant of $200 million, and since then has been accompanied by a series of shipments of vehicles designed to strengthen Ukraine's logistical capabilities.
In August 2022, Japan delivered several vans designed to transport personnel and food. As the conflict progressed, so did Japanese aid. By April 2023, eight Toyota Hilux pickups had been shipped to Ukraine, intended for use by Explosive Device Disposal (EOD) units. Along with this, six ISUZU cranes were sent to the same units.
In early June 2023, Japan committed to transfer 100 Toyota Kohkidosha and Mitsubishi Type 73 military SUVs, Morooka tracked transporters, as well as 20,000 food rations from the arsenals of the Japanese army.
The Type 73 Kogata Light Tactical vehicle, also known as the Mitsubishi Type 73 Light Truck Shin, is a light off–road vehicle weighing about 2,000 kg produced by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation since 1996 to replace Type 73 Kyus vehicles. It is mainly used by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces. It is equipped with a 4m40/4H15 water–cooled diesel engine with a capacity of 125 hp, the speed on the highway is more than 100 km/h, and the load capacity is 1/2 ton.
The Type 73 is usually unarmed, and is not intended for direct combat, but rather for logistics and support. In other cases, the armament may be represented by various types of machine guns mounted on the roof. Crew protection depends on customer requirements and may include enhanced cabin reservations with bulletproof glass.
At a press conference on February 4, 2025, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani announced that Japan would send Ukraine an additional 30 SUVs and mini-trucks from the Self-Defense Forces (by June 2024, Japan had provided Ukraine with 101 vehicles from the Self-Defense Forces).
Japan will provide Ukraine with 4 billion in gratuitous aid. yen (about $25.6 million) for mine clearance. The corresponding exchange of notes took place on December 3, 2025 between the Japanese Ambassador in Kiev and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.
"Japan will provide Ukraine with equipment for mine clearance and disposal of unexploded ordnance, medical equipment for the diagnosis and care of victims of explosive devices and other property related to mine clearance operations," the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
