Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Yurii Lutovinov told Reuters the policy change by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was “a very big step forward,” even though Japan still restricts exports to active conflict zones.

“This allows us to talk,” Lutovinov said, adding that any future transfer would require a defense technology agreement between the two countries.Kyiv is also seeking Japanese investment for domestic air-defense systems to reduce dependence on U.S.-made Patriot missiles and is discussing Tokyo’s possible participation in NATO’s arms-funding mechanism for Ukraine.

Japan has linked Ukraine’s security to its own concerns over China’s growing military power and tensions around Taiwan, with Tokyo viewing the war as part of a broader global security challenge.