Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The Japanese Communist Party said it opposed providing “defense materials,” including bulletproof vests and SDF equipment to support Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion.

Akira Koike, the secretary-general of the party reportedly said on March 7, “We reiterate that Japan’s support of the Ukrainians should be non-military.”

“Our party opposes the provision of military defense equipment, even bulletproof vests. We are against the export of weapons,” officials of the party said at a press conference.

The Japanese government on Friday decided to provide Ukraine with bulletproof vests and other items owned by the Self-Defense Forces including helmets, emergency rations, heavy winter clothing, tents, power generators, cameras and sanitary goods.

Goods to be provided to Ukraine will be limited to those that cannot be used to hurt or kill people, in line with Japan’s three principles of defense equipment transfer.

Private ads have increased in various Japanese sites asking for donations that include drones for delivery in Poland.