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dpa
Tokyo
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida praised German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his government’s decision to deliver heavy weapons to Ukraine.
Speaking at a joint press conference to mark Scholz’s first visit to Japan since taking office, Kishida expressed “great respect” for the German government’s announcement earlier this week, which was signed off by the Bundestag parliament on Thursday.
The measure will include sending anti-aircraft systems and armoured vehicles and also includes provisions for sending heavier equipment to eastern NATO allies.
Japan is one of only three Asian countries to impose sanctions on Russia, alongside South Korea and Singapore.
Japan’s pacifist constitution bans arms deliveries. However, the country is making equipment available, including bulletproof vests, steel helmets, combat clothing, protective gear against chemical weapons and commercial drones for reconnaissance - all directly from the stocks of its own military.
Scholz thanked Kishida for his country’s support of Ukraine.
“From the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Japan, as a G7 partner, clearly and decisively sided with Ukraine, Europe and the US,” he said. “This is despite the fact that Ukraine is of course much further away from Tokyo than from Berlin.”
“We all recognize that this war is not directed solely against Ukraine, where Putin’s army is causing unimaginable suffering and destruction,” Scholz said.
Scholz will only spend roughly 20 hours in Tokyo - less than the duration of the flight there and back again.
It was unusual for Scholz to choose Japan as his first travel destination in the region. His predecessors Angela Merkel and Gerhard Schr?der went to China first.
Accompanied by a business delegation, Scholz was also expected to attend an event celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan.
Japan is a member of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized democracies. Germany is chairing the G7 this year and will host the G7 summit in July in Bavaria.
Tokyo
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida praised German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his government’s decision to deliver heavy weapons to Ukraine.
Speaking at a joint press conference to mark Scholz’s first visit to Japan since taking office, Kishida expressed “great respect” for the German government’s announcement earlier this week, which was signed off by the Bundestag parliament on Thursday.
The measure will include sending anti-aircraft systems and armoured vehicles and also includes provisions for sending heavier equipment to eastern NATO allies.
Japan is one of only three Asian countries to impose sanctions on Russia, alongside South Korea and Singapore.
Japan’s pacifist constitution bans arms deliveries. However, the country is making equipment available, including bulletproof vests, steel helmets, combat clothing, protective gear against chemical weapons and commercial drones for reconnaissance - all directly from the stocks of its own military.
Scholz thanked Kishida for his country’s support of Ukraine.
“From the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Japan, as a G7 partner, clearly and decisively sided with Ukraine, Europe and the US,” he said. “This is despite the fact that Ukraine is of course much further away from Tokyo than from Berlin.”
“We all recognize that this war is not directed solely against Ukraine, where Putin’s army is causing unimaginable suffering and destruction,” Scholz said.
Scholz will only spend roughly 20 hours in Tokyo - less than the duration of the flight there and back again.
It was unusual for Scholz to choose Japan as his first travel destination in the region. His predecessors Angela Merkel and Gerhard Schr?der went to China first.
Accompanied by a business delegation, Scholz was also expected to attend an event celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan.
Japan is a member of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized democracies. Germany is chairing the G7 this year and will host the G7 summit in July in Bavaria.
