Japan Dispatches Self-Defense Force Transport Aircraft to Support Ukrainian Refugees... 'Responsible for Cargo Transport'

Initially Planned to Transport Supplies from India but Rejected... Analysis of 'Quad Division' Raised

The Japanese government dispatched a Self-Defense Forces aircraft to support Ukrainian refugees struggling due to the Russian invasion. Photo by Japan Air Self-Defense Force

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The Japanese government has dispatched a Self-Defense Forces aircraft to support Ukrainian refugees struggling due to the Russian invasion.

According to Kyodo News on the 1st, a Self-Defense Forces C2 transport aircraft responsible for transporting supplies to support Ukrainian refugees departed from Iruma Base in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, that morning. The transport aircraft is scheduled to shuttle between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Poland.

The C2 transport aircraft will carry blankets, lanterns, and other items stockpiled by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Dubai, UAE, to Poland, Romania, and other locations.

Supply transportation is planned to be conducted about once a week until the end of June.

The Japanese government classified this mission as a "humanitarian international relief activity" under the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) Cooperation Act and decided to dispatch the C2 transport aircraft.

Previously, the Japanese government planned to load supplies for refugees in India as well. However, since the Indian government refused to accept the Self-Defense Forces aircraft, the loading base was limited to Dubai. Naturally, the transportation schedule was also delayed from April to May.

India has traditionally maintained a friendly relationship with Russia. Because India rejected the Self-Defense Forces transport aircraft, some analysts suggest that a rift has emerged in the Quad (Quad, a security consultative group of four countries: the United States, Japan, Australia, and India) security cooperation.