politics

Japan to provide 100 military vehicles to Ukraine

50 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


50 Comments
Login to comment

I'm sure these are very useful but Japan should be providing ammunition as well.

-9 ( +22 / -31 )

SDF vehicles always look brand new and pristine when I see them on the streets. I have wondered if they simply discard them after only a few years, which would be a huge waste. Giving them to Ukraine seems like a very sustainable practice.

-3 ( +16 / -19 )

About time. And yes send ammo and every other resource that it takes to drive out the scourge

0 ( +23 / -23 )

Is it wise for Japan to make such contributions public . . . especially considering its other foreign relations?

-12 ( +12 / -24 )

Is it wise for Japan to make such contributions public . . . especially considering its other foreign relations?

If Russia wants to throw a fit over food and trucks, there was never going to be any dealing with them anyways. Most countries want credit for helping Ukraine, too.

5 ( +23 / -18 )

Good on the Japanese government for providing these military vehicles which will certainly be of use.

All the material help given to the brave Ukrainians as they fight to reclaim THEIR sovereign, beloved land from the fascists is encouraging.

8 ( +26 / -18 )

Japan is a ATM, depositing directly into Ukraine moneypit

-19 ( +12 / -31 )

This is kinda disappointing.

Korea is supplying armored medevac vehicles plus tank based mine-clearing vehicles, not unarmored trucks and SUVs.

https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230521000143

Yoon told Zelenskyy that Seoul will push for sustained diplomatic, economic and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, with medical evacuation vehicles and demining vehicles being the primary focus as of the current moment, Yoon's spokesperson said in a statement Sunday.

-18 ( +8 / -26 )

How long did this take?

-11 ( +5 / -16 )

Always late to the show.

-14 ( +8 / -22 )

Soft skinned Mitsubishi pick ups.... Wow... More "game changers"?

Well, at least Mitsubishi get some much needed sales. And some Polish or Moldovan farmers will get a cheap truck after they have been sold on by corrupt Ukrainian generals.

-13 ( +12 / -25 )

first thing I thought is...what side is the steering wheel on though lol

5 ( +9 / -4 )

@What ol' Jack Burton always says

Don't lecture Japan on what it should be doing.

Personally iam relieved Japan isn't providing any lethal support to Ukraine.

It's not Japan's fight.

Historically, when it is Japans' fight, you hear: Why doesn't America protect us?

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Foolish choice by the Japanese govt.

-7 ( +11 / -18 )

its easy to throw away taxpayers money for nothing.

Fumio...how abt young families with kids?no word but yes UA needs our help....

-6 ( +8 / -14 )

It’s surely more a small political gesture and humanitarian aid than a useful military one. Maybe they can now evacuate a few more children or seniors from the villages in frontline areas into safer inner-Ukrainian areas and provide a few meals during those evacuation attempts. Not more, but also not less.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

The NATO Alliance and its side-kicks are simply clearing their dead stockpile of weapons... with hopes that Putin will exhaust his new weaponry and men.

Much of the arms to Ukraine come with caveats, can’t be used to strike deep inside Russia. Some need logistics, infrastructure and acquity well beyond Ukraine’s ( the F-16) .

What has Ukraine been doing with the Billions of $$ and equipment so far received ? For the past several months , there’s been a lull in fighting , apart from Bakhmut, it’s Russia missiles that have been pounding Ukraine’s infrastructure at will. ..while waiting for Ukraine’s spring counter-offence which, I know, will amount to zilch.

Do these Nato allies have any empathy for Ukraine as a country ? Or its people? The Belgodorov insurgency is a diversion meant to fool people that Ukraine has a chance , that something is happening within Russia.. but Russia can stop this war devastatingly, if it so chooses.

It’s time for people to tell their leaders to stop fanning the war. The share-holding rights in re-building Ukraine is not worth the life, limb and blood being lost. Japan has been here before... so much for Hiroshima “ peace” ...how myopic .

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

The vehicles in the background are Mitsubishi Type 73 Light Truck (Shin) (73式小型トラック (新), 73-shiki kogata torakku (shin)).

These are light skinned, unarmoured, open top vehicles - note the canvas collapsible canopy.

Driving around in one of these on a modern symmetric battlefield is a craziness - you'd have to have a deathwish.

-13 ( +4 / -17 )

Much of the arms to Ukraine come with caveats, can’t be used to strike deep inside Russia.

Bizarre comment. You do realize the aim of the Ukrainians is not to "strike deep inside Russia"? The aim is to kick the fascist Russians out of Ukrainian sovereign territory. To send the rubbish back where it came from.

Every bit of assistance the brave Ukrainians receive from their many friends - including Japan - helps.

3 ( +12 / -9 )

Given massive widespread Ukrainian corruption exposed in recent CIA Ukraine leaked intel, must try to ensure assets provided to UA NOT LIQUID in nature or easy to sell.

Used military vehicles = OK

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

Well done Japan!

4 ( +12 / -8 )

Imagine driving up to Donetsk city in an open topped Mitsubishi Type 73 with a little blue and yellow flag.

You wouldn't make it out alive. These vehicles are completely inappropriate for a symmetric battlefield - much heavier western armoured vehicles are getting greased and swiss-cheesed daily, including heavy tracked vehicles.

They may as well send some Kei-cars. Surely they can't be serious. And an open topped vehicle is complete madness in a conflict in which tens of thousands of shells are being fired daily.

-13 ( +4 / -17 )

well done japan. good job given the legal restraints, which ought to be struc down now in the face of chinese threats. yes, even kei cars are needed in uraine. not all of ukraine is a battlefront.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Japan just took position of one side of conflict have nothing to do with and not related to at all.

Japans position as peace loving country should be one chinese took right now-to be a peace negotiator.

bring to table both sides for talk and stop meaningless killings at both sides.

this conflict have clearly no military solution.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

Japan took the side of the defender, Ukraine. Mr Putin go home.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

The LPR and DPR are also defenders. Will they get some Type 73 too?

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

wallace

Mr Putin is at home no doubt.you may call him or send him email to verify.

Japan just did what get ordered from whitehouse.

as expected.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

The LPR and DPR are also defenders. Will they get some Type 73 too?

No because these are insurgents. If they could win something without the aid of Russian criminality, maybe they would be worth something.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Do these Nato allies have any empathy for Ukraine as a country ? Or its people?

It's empathy that causes us to listen to their pleas for ammo rather than cynically pushing for a surrender that will never be wanted.

Russia can stop this war devastatingly, if it so chooses.

Not without straight up losing this pathetic invasion of theirs by NATO involvement.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

What ol' Jack Burton always saysToday  08:35 am JST

Don't lecture Japan on what it should be doing.

Personally iam relieved Japan isn't providing any lethal support to Ukraine.

It's not Japan's fight

I guess you're just thinking of the here and now with an I'm alright Jack.

It is absolutely in Japan's interest to see Ukraine liberated, and Russia defeated.

why? Well, first there is China which has its eyes on a few Japanese islands. And I guess if China wants to take them, I guess they can, because it's NOT the rest of the worlds FIGHT!. Second Russia also lays claims to some Northern Islands. With your geopolitical understanding, Russia could take them, and again it's NOT IN THE REST of the world's fight. Thirdly, China can see if the world allows the aggression to stand, similar to the 1930s policy of appeasement, then China can and will take Taiwan. If it is not the rest of the world's fight, why not take those small Japanese islands along with Russia to the north working together? Of course, if you think it is not Japan's fight, then it would not be the US, UK, Australia or any other democracies fight, to help Japan. But deep down it shows hypocrisy, you accept the protection of the US and the tacit agreement that NATO and others will somehow HELP Japan in its time of need. You live in the comfort of group protection, and treaties, closer military ties, while sitting back, watching others do the work accepting the protection of a US nuclear umbrella. This is most definitely in japans interest.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

JJEToday  10:20 am JST

*The vehicles in the background are Mitsubishi Type 73 Light Truck (Shin) (73式小型トラック (新), 73-shiki kogata torakku (shin)).*

These are light skinned, unarmoured, open top vehicles - note the canvas collapsible canopy.

Driving around in one of these on a modern symmetric battlefield is a craziness - you'd have to have a deathwish.

I agree but these aren't for the "battlefield" these are for the other parts of the echelon. EG supplies, moving commanders around, communication, but they can be modified to carry things that go BANG, depending on the vehicle! Similar to the Humvee. Certainly not what I want to see, but I guess the Ukrainians will need everything to keep the military working. Sometimes its the MBT, Artillery, and APC that get all the glory, press, and reporters standing next to but a lot of what keeps it all going are the boring trucks, food supplies, ammo supplies, and logistics.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I think this is appropriate kind of support from Japan together with treating Ukranian wounded in J military hospital.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Congratulations to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and related suppliers.

May your profits flow ever upwards to your board members, who like all of us are affected by inflation.

Good job to the sales team on securing this lucrative contract.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Just about 15 months into the conflict. Better late than never, though.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

This is small potatoes compared to what Japan has sold or given to other countries involved in conflict. Think about all those white Toyota pick-ups used in Africa, Mid-East and Afghanistan. They just don't qualify as "military vehicles" in some parts of the world, but strap on some machine guns, RPGs, and a few mujas and they're good to go.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Japan held a ceremony on Wednesday marking its planned donation of about 100 military vehicles to Ukraine. 

Japanese Vice Defense Minister Ino said that “We hope the invasion ends as soon as possible and peaceful daily lives return. We will provide as much support as we can.”

We thought that Japan should take this opportunity to change its attitude toward war. Because Japan is only allowed to protect its own country, it is naturally prohibited to have nuclear weapons, and even support to fellow countries is restricted. I felt that this has good and bad sides for Japan. Despite receiving a lot of support from the United States and others after World War II, Japan can only help with food and equipment when fellow countries are in danger. I don't think this fact is fair. If we are a fellow country like the G7, I believe that our position should be fair in any situation, not just war. Even if it is restricted by law or constitution. Therefore, I believe that Japan should take this opportunity to change its laws, constitution, and thoughts on war.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Japan has limited its donations to non-lethal equipment because the transfer policy prohibits the provision of lethal weapons to countries at war.

According to Russia itself, there is no war but only a "special military operation" so with that in mind Japan can give Ukraine any military weaponry it wants without breaking its constitution.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Unmentioned in the article is the logistics of transporting these vehicles there or ongoing sustainment.

Most likely via sea to somewhere in Europe then onwards by rail or road - which will take months.

A commercial airlift would be prohibitively expensive considering the pedestrian nature of the cargo.

Either way this is shaping up as a hyper-exorbitant, symbolic photo op; a token gesture to please the home crowd and fly the flag.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

Sooner or later, Japan will regret this..

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

And there goes the Northern Territories.

Putin won't forget this.

Japan is used to playing both sides every time in order to sell its products, but now the time to stand up and be counted as actually arrived.......Japan might be left I n the lurch.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

I hope they’re not those tiny pick up trucks.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

SpitfireToday  04:55 pm JST

And there goes the Northern Territories.

Putin won't forget this.

Putin will no longer be in power by the time Russia returms the 4 stolen islands to Japan. Putin has never intended to return them anyway so nothing lost.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Ukraine is already using Toyota Hi-Lux trucks.

https://en.ukrmilitary.com/2021/09/ukrainian-armor-offers-toyota-hilux-to.html

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

This is kinda disappointing.

Korea is supplying armored medevac vehicles plus tank based mine-clearing vehicles, not unarmored trucks and SUVs.

South Korea had to be pushed to do the bare minimum. Many countries complain to S.Korea before you did anything. A country with no military restrictions, yet unwilling to do nothing. No article 9, not pacifist.

Did Yoon visit Ukraine?? South Korea selling alot of weapons for profit to Europe, yet unwilling to give more to Ukraine for free.

South Korea unwilling to join Quad Alliance.

South Korean emergency is not a Taiwanese emergency, Koreans only care about Korea peninsula.

Do more before complaining about Japan. Pacifist Japan is taking more responsibilities, then half of Korea will ever do in it's existence.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Japan just took position of one side of conflict have nothing to do with and not related to at all.

The same coalition of nations now assisting Ukraine my likewise assist Japan if / when China finally decides to extract revenge for WWII. In fact the determination of the western powers to unify behind Ukraine might be what prevents China from attacking Taiwan and Japan. That unity has proven to be the second major surprise of this war, with the first and biggest being Ukraine's ability to resist.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites