March 6-8, 2022

Japanese Communist Party Secretariate Head Koike Akira at a press conference in the Diet building on March 7 said, "The JCP feels that Japan, with the war-renouncing Article 9 in its Constitution, should not provide defense equipment to Ukraine in its war with Russia. Japan should restrict itself to non-military assistance."

For a long time, Japan had a national policy fully prohibiting arms exports. In 2014, however, the second Abe government removed this policy and adopted the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, paving the way for Japan's arms exports which could exacerbate international disputes. The government explains that the planned supplies of defense equipment such as bulletproof vests and helmets are within the range of the Three Principles, but the principle one forbids the transfer in "[c]ases where the defense equipment and technology are destined for a country party to a conflict." The government defines "a country party to a conflict" as "a country against which the UN Security Council is taking measures to maintain or restore international peace and security in the event of an armed attack", insisting that Ukraine is not regarded as "a country party to a conflict".

Koike said, "It is urgently necessary to send relief supplies to help Ukrainians' daily lives and livelihoods as well as to refugees as UN refugee chief Grandi pointed out." He suggested that Japan deliver food products, winter clothes, tents, pharmaceuticals, and hygiene items to Ukraine as quickly as possible.

JCP member of the House of Councilors Inoue Satoshi and JCP Policy Commission Chair Tamura Tomoko also emphasized the need to implement non-military humanitarian assistance such as food and medical supplies to Ukraine through neighboring countries or international organizations on the NHK "Sunday Debate" program on March 6 and at a news conference in the Diet building on March 5.