Japan to send anti-chemical-warfare equipment to Ukraine

Japan last month provided bulletproof vests, helmets and other nonlethal arms equipment to Ukraine as an exception to Tokyo’s ban on arms exports to countries in conflict

The debris of a destroyed Russian tank is seen in the yard of a house in Bohdanivka village, northeast of Kyiv. Picture: Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images

Japan will send gas masks, hazmat suits and drones to Ukraine to help defend the country against Russia’s invasion amid growing concern of chemical weapons use by the Russian military.

Defense minister Nobuo Kishi said on Tuesday that Japan was sending the anti-chemical-warfare equipment at the request of the Ukrainian government.