Saturday’s Yomiuri took up a statement issued by Ambassador Emanuel on Friday regarding Japan’s decision to provide Ukraine with defense equipment in which he praised Prime Minister Kishida for playing a “historic role.” “[The] unprecedented decision to provide critical support to Ukraine through donations of defense equipment demonstrates Japan’s strong commitment” to liberty, democracy, human dignity, and international law, he was quoted as saying.

Sankei’s website also highlighted the Ambassador’s comment, quoting him as saying that the prime minister “has shown the type of leadership the world is craving, and the Ukrainian people are desperate for…. Every democracy has a role to play to boost the will and resistance of the Ukrainian people and military, and Japan has played that historic role.”