The Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, Hirokazu Matsuno, confirmed today, Friday, that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Japan is ready to provide urgent humanitarian assistance following the collapse of a Ukrainian dam that led to flooding. He added that the value of this assistance is estimated at around $5 million and will be distributed through international organizations.
For its part, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today, Friday, that it summoned the Japanese ambassador due to Tokyo's decision to supply Ukraine with military equipment. Japan has supported Western sanctions against Russia in response to Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine. Last month, Japan committed to supplying Ukraine with about 100 vehicles for military use, such as trucks, after previously providing protective equipment like helmets and bulletproof vests. However, Moscow stated that Tokyo is supplying Ukraine with "armored vehicles" and others suitable for all-terrain use. The ministry's statement mentioned, "The Japanese side was informed that this step would lead to an escalation of hostilities and an additional increase in the number of casualties suffered by the Kyiv regime." Japanese export regulations prohibit its companies from selling lethal goods and weapons to other countries.
