To protect against shelling: Japan and the US have found the opportunity to transfer missiles to Patriot - WSJ
According to the US representative, this decision of the Japanese government is a landmark, since for decades, Japan has adhered to a ban on weapons export to stay away from global conflicts after World War II. However, the war in Ukraine and Tokyo concern about China and North Korea forced Japan, according to experts in the publication, to rethink their contribution to international security.
Therefore, the decision was made to weaken control over the export of defense products - now military equipment made in Japan under a license can be sent to the country that has issued this license. Regarding the supply of weapons to a country involved in military conflict, it is prohibited by law in Japan, so it cannot send Patriots directly to Ukraine.
"This initiative is of great importance in terms of strengthening the Alliance of Japan and the United States," said Japan's government official Essimas Hayasi. The representative of the Japanese Ministry of Defense stated that the terms and volumes of missile transfer have not yet been determined. However, the defense department stressed that there would be no deterioration in Japan's ability to protect itself from ballistic missiles from North Korea or other countries.
"The effect of Japan's supplies will depend on how many US missiles will, in turn, supply Ukraine. Lockheed Martin produces about 550 Patriot interceptors annually, which are also deployed in the Middle East and in the Asia-Pacific region," the publication said. Kiev has intensified calls for the country's air defense due to the fact that Russia has launched new winter attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure using cruise and ballistic missiles.
Five Patriot batteries from the United States, Germany and the Netherlands, WSJ writes, provide the most effective level of protection of Ukraine from ballistic missiles, but reserves of rockets, each of which can cost millions of dollars, depleted by Russia's constant attacks. Therefore, Japan's similar decision on Patriot SCR not only testifies to Tokyo's position, but also gives more flexibility and strategic deployment in Patriot Arsenal, said Rammanuel, US Ambassador to Japan.
"This is an important step for Japan, which increases its commitment from the beginning of the war on Ukraine's defense," said Christopher Johnston, a former employee of the US National Security Council, who now works at the Washington Strategic and International Studies Center. Japan also establishes closer security in the field of security with some Asian countries to protect against China, while trying to stimulate the growth of its defense industry.
Earlier this week, the Philippines installed a radar system provided by Japan to help Manila to control Chinese ships and planes after collisions in the South Chinese Sea. Earlier, the media reported that Europe does not have sufficient industrial potential to reflect the attack of Russia. The German-Italian military expert Karsten Breer stated that European countries remain hoping that in the event of an attack by the Russian Federation, the US will not be "occupied by another war".