Japan eyes introduction of Ukraine-made drones for defense

The signing of a bilateral arms transfer agreement to safeguard secrets is one option for facilitating the move, the sources said, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy eager to exchange his country's defense technology for weapons provided by Japan, which restricts arms transfers under its war-renouncing Constitution. He also said air defense is "crucial" for his country in repelling Russia's invasion and expressed hope to cooperate with Japan in the area, as the Asian nation -- a close U.S. ally -- produces Patriot surface-to-air missile interceptors under a U.S. license. A proposal by the ruling parties, which was submitted to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi earlier this month, created room for Ukraine to receive weapons from Japan as long as it has signed a defense equipment transfer agreement and is deemed as entitled to be granted exceptional treatment in light of Japan's national security needs.