Japan to change rules, export Patriots to enable US to send more to Ukraine

Japan is preparing a major shift in its defense export regulations that would pave the way for the country to provide its Patriot missiles to the United States. The policy change, expected to be finalized this week, responds to urgent requests from Washington amid shortfalls in Ukraine's air defenses, The Washington Post reports.

The modification would not explicitly mention the Patriot system but "will meet a key request by the Biden administration, said US officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity because discussions are ongoing," according to WP.

In turn, this would give the US latitude to transfer more of the critical missile defense systems to aid Ukraine against punishing Russian aerial assaults.