Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani announced on October 10 that the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) will dispatch two instructors to Lithuania to provide landmine clearance training for Ukrainian personnel.
The move represents Japan’s first activity under the framework it joined in 2023 to support Ukraine.
In a press conference, Nakatani said the initiative aims to help improve the humanitarian situation in Ukraine amid the ongoing war.
“This is a meaningful initiative that will contribute to improving Ukraine’s humanitarian situation,” Nakatani said.
The training program will run from November 3 to December 5, with participation from Lithuania, Iceland, and other Nordic countries. Around 20 Ukrainian soldiers are expected to take part in the course, which focuses on methods for safely detecting and neutralizing landmines and explosive devices.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Defense, the dispatch of JGSDF instructors is part of a broader effort to strengthen Japan’s contribution to international humanitarian assistance. The decision underscores Tokyo’s growing willingness to play a practical role in Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction efforts, particularly in the areas of demining, cybersecurity, and defense capacity building.
The ministry also stated that Japan’s defense institutions are taking part in an IT-based support framework for Ukraine, which includes plans to hold online workshops on cybersecurity for Ukrainian military personnel in the coming months.
While Japan’s constitution restricts it from engaging in combat operations abroad, the government has sought to expand its international cooperation through non-lethal defense assistance. This includes training, logistics support, and technical aid designed to enhance the capabilities of partner nations facing security challenges.
The country has previously contributed to similar programs through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focusing on post-conflict reconstruction and the protection of civilians.
By sending JGSDF instructors to Lithuania, Japan signals its ongoing alignment with European and NATO-led efforts to assist Ukraine, while maintaining its pacifist principles under the Self-Defense Forces’ operational framework.