The government of Japan has decided to join NATO's arms supply initiative for Kiev "Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List" (PURL), Ukrinform reported, citing Japanese public broadcaster NHK (NHK), BTA reported.
Tokyo will supply the Ukrainian army with US-made ammunition and equipment, purchasing non-lethal equipment, the Ukrainian agency said. Most likely, this is primarily about radar systems and body armor.
According to NHK, Tokyo has already informed NATO member states of its intention. Japan, a NATO partner, is expected to officially announce its joining the initiative soon.
According to a NATO representative, non-lethal equipment is essential for Ukraine, Ukrinform reports. More than 20 NATO countries, plus Australia and New Zealand, have already joined the initiative. Ukrinform recalls that the alliance's Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed confidence that $15 billion will be invested in PURL this year.