‘Smuggling’ with the U.S. and South Korea for Japanese TNT in support of 155 shells in Ukraine

‘Smuggling’ with the U.S. and South Korea for Japanese TNT in support of 155 shells in Ukraine

In order to expand internal explosives, excluding shell shells, for the support of 155mm shells in Ukraine, a “smuggling trade” of TNT between the US and Japan has begun, and it shows a connection with the “military support for mass casualties” proposed by President Yoon Seok-yeol.
At a press conference with the German Prime Minister on May 21st, President Yoon said, “Mrs. Zelenska requested landmine removal equipment and a medical ambulance because the Russian army retreated from Kiiu and caused a lot of civilian casualties. I plan to review it first and provide it quickly. President Zelensky gave me a list of non-lethal weapons, and I will carefully review them."
Citing two sources familiar with the US and Japanese trade in explosives other than 155mm shells, "Tokyo, which this week hosted Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, told the US government that it would allow the sale of industrial TNT because explosives are not products for military use only." “The US wants to connect a Japanese company to the TNT supply chain to supply explosives to a US military-owned munitions factory that will be packaged in 155mm shell casings,” it said on the 2nd.
The US State Department did not directly respond to a Reuters question on whether the US plans to purchase TNT from Japan, but Washington said it was working with allies and partners to "provide necessary assistance" to Ukraine to defend itself, while Japan said "We have shown leadership in supporting the defense of Ukraine," he said.
Japan's pacifist constitution bans 'intervention in war', and export rules prohibit Japanese companies from selling overseas sales of lethal items such as howitzer shells that Ukraine fires daily at Russian troops occupying southeastern territories. The smuggling method of selling internal explosives, excluding shells, to US military companies or other foreign munitions companies was disclosed for the first time.
Reuters said the procurement "will test its willingness to take the controversy to court to help Ukraine."
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada held talks in Tokyo on the 1st, and the U.S. Department of Defense released a press release on the 1st saying, “Secretary Austin visited Prime Minister Kishida and Director of National Security Akiba to fulfill the U.S. commitment to the defense of Japan. emphasized,” he said.
"We stand with our allies, Japan and South Korea, in the face of North Korea's continued provocations, including yesterday's alleged object," the press release said. We will take action,” he said.
Austin went on to say he strongly supports Japan's latest national security strategy, including its decision to increase defense spending and have a "counter-offensive capability" capable of attacking enemy bases.
“Based on the complex security environment, we have confirmed the importance of cooperation not only with Japan and the United States, but also with South Korea, Australia and ASEAN countries,” Hamada said at a press conference, Reuters reported.
Reuters reported at a meeting between the US and Japan's defense ministers that Defense Minister Hayashi "confirmed his intention to deepen security cooperation, including in the munitions industry, and to work more closely with South Korea, Australia and other countries to combat North Korea and other threats." It was reported on the 1st.
A press release from the Pentagon said, "Defense Minister Hamada discussed the security situation surrounding the US-Japan alliance with Secretary Austin, including North Korea's missile launch, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and various challenges related to China."
The press release continued, stating that Secretary Austin met with Foreign Minister Hayashi to discuss opportunities to expand trilateral cooperation with South Korea on various pending issues, including expanding information sharing, and explained “Korea-US-Japan defense cooperation” as the subject of the negotiations.
Reuters, which covered 22 member companies of the Japan Explosives Industry Association, said Chugoku Kayaku of Hiroshima, a manufacturer of industrial TNT that supplies explosives to the Japanese military, said, "We have not received direct inquiries from the US government or the US military." I didn't," he replied.
Former Vice Minister of Defense Akihisa Nagashima and member of the National Security Council of the Liberal Democratic Party told Reuters that "military buildup will take four-fifths of Japan before it becomes a 'normal country' unencumbered by the legacy of World War II defeat." It's the remaining 20% one-fifth to deal with," he said.
It added that the US wants to connect Japanese companies to the TNT supply chain to supply explosives to US-owned munitions factories that will be packaged in 155mm shell casings.
Japan's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy told Reuters that "Items not subject to military restrictions will be evaluated according to regular export rules that take into account the intention of the purchaser, including whether their use may undermine international security." said.
"Seoul's position on providing lethal aid to Ukraine has not changed," a South Korean Defense Ministry official told Reuters.
"Any change will be a problem for Japan, but 'a little support' for Ukraine is 'always welcome'," U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin said at a press conference, when asked about a possible change in Japan's policy on lethal aid in Tokyo this week. said.
Reuters reported in an interview that Secretary Austin did not identify the Japanese company that would supply the US government with explosives, nor did he say how much TNT Washington would like to buy.
Japan's military support for Ukraine is focused on body armor, helmets and food rations. Prime Minister Kishida announced the donation of 'military jeep trucks' to Ukrainian President Zelensky, who attended the G7 summit in Hiroshima last month. had a summit meeting.
Tsuneo Watanabe, a senior research fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, said: "In Japan, acceptance of Ukraine's military aid offering appears to be growing, but the extent of the lethality is debatable. The fact that Japan decided to provide trucks to Ukraine shows a change in the situation. "There seems to be no political agreement yet on the issue of sending aid," he told Reuters.
In an exclusive interview with Reuters on April 19, President Yoon said, "If a situation unacceptable to the international community occurs, such as a large-scale attack on civilians, a massacre, or a serious violation of the law of war, it may be difficult to claim only humanitarian aid or financial support." I believe that there will be no limit to the scope of assistance to defend and restore a country that has been illegally invaded under both international and domestic law.
President Yoon said in an exclusive interview with the Associated Press on January 10, “It is difficult for the government to arm Ukraine, which is at war, not only because of domestic public opinion, but also because of South Korea’s laws,” showing drastic changes in just three months.
On May 21, at a press conference with German Chancellor Schultz, President Yoon responded to a question about his intention to provide weapons to Ukraine, saying, "Prime Minister Olana Zelenska of Ukraine came to Korea earlier, and today I had a summit meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky." “Mrs. Zelenska requested landmine removal equipment and a medical ambulance because the Russian army retreated from Kiiu and caused a lot of civilian casualties. The president gave us some lists, and we will review them carefully."
Contrary to President Yoon’s announcement on the 21st that “Mrs. Zelensky suffered civilian casualties,” the announcement at the presidential office meeting on May 16 was “about support for lethal weapons that Western countries such as the US and NATO have formally and unofficially requested from the Korean government. “There was no such request. Rather, she reaffirmed to reporters, "Mrs. Zelenska has indicated that she is providing military support, but she understands well that Korea has difficulties."
Regarding the meeting, the President’s Office said, “President Yoon met with First Lady Olena Zelenska on the 16th and told Ukraine that “the use of force and inhumane acts that cause terrible damage to innocent lives, especially women and children, are unacceptable under any circumstances.” He confirmed that he repeatedly expressed his will to support and solidarity.
The Presidential Office continued, <Mrs. Zelenska requested support for non-lethal military equipment such as mine detection and removal equipment and ambulance vehicles, saying, “I hope that many Korean companies will participate in the reconstruction process of Ukraine, including Kherson, where many Koreans live. ’”, which is completely different from President Yoon’s statement made official at the summit press conference on the 21st, <Mrs.
<Refer to Yoon Seok-yeol’s “state visit to the United States” after the conversion of Ukraine’s “armed aid” to Reuters, April 19, 2023>