"Japan Breaks Postwar Tradition, Sells Patriot Missiles to US for Potential Use in Ukraine"

Japan has broken its decades-old arms export policy by agreeing to sell Patriot missiles to the United States, which could indirectly benefit Ukraine. The move will replenish US stocks and potentially free up more missiles to be sent to Ukraine. Japan's previous ban on exporting weapons has been relaxed, allowing the export of completed products to countries where its patent holders are based. While Japan cannot directly ship weapons to countries at war, the missiles sent to the US could potentially be redirected to Ukraine. The Patriot system is a crucial air defense system used by the US, Germany, and the Netherlands to defend against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.