While US continues to shift its position on Ukraine, Japan is quietly taking a more consistent and independent approach. As The Diplomat reports, Tokyo has stepped up its security cooperation with Europe and expanded direct assistance to Ukraine, signaling a more assertive foreign policy.
From November 3 to December 5, Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) will deploy two officers to Lithuania as part of a multinational coalition with Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
The mission aims to train Ukrainian forces in demining operations, a field where Japan already has experience, having helped Cambodia build its post-conflict clearance capabilities.
The initiative is part of the Lithuania-led “Demining Capability Coalition,” which is hosting a new training center for Ukrainian troops.
According to the magazine, defense analyst Michael M. Bosack, the mission stands out for several reasons. It is Japan’s first deployment in direct support of Ukraine, outside a U.N. peacekeeping framework, within a NATO country, and without U.S. military involvement.
“The nonreaction from Japanese policy actors and audiences following this announcement reveals a maturation of political sensibilities related to these sorts of activities,” Bosack wrote, suggesting growing acceptance of Japan’s proactive security role.
Beyond this deployment, Japan has been steadily increasing its support for Ukraine. Tokyo recently sent another shipment of military vehicles and hosted the third international conference on land-mine clearance in Ukraine.
Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) also completed a first-ever fighter jet mission to Europe from September 14 to October 1, sending F-15s to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The Ministry of Defense described the 180-person “Atlantic Eagles” exercise as part of Tokyo’s recognition that “the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific are interconnected.”
While Donald Trump and Takaichi Sanae have hailed a “golden age” in Japan-U.S. relations, Tokyo’s steady engagement in Europe reflects a desire to diversify its partnerships and unwavering stance towards Ukraine.
AloJapan.com