Ukraine is asking Japan to help produce Patriot air defense systems, which are made under a U.S. license. Sergiy Kyslytsya, an aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said Ukraine is in political talks with Japan about cooperation. Japan is one of the few countries allowed to build the Patriot system. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, a Japanese company, already makes the interceptors for Japan's own defense forces. Ukraine hopes to use Japan's expertise to manufacture more Patriots to protect against Russian missile attacks. The Patriot system is a surface-to-air missile system that can shoot down incoming missiles and aircraft. Ukraine has received Patriot systems from the United States and other allies, but wants to produce more locally. Kyslytsya emphasized that Japan's pacifist constitution does not ban such cooperation, as it is for defensive purposes. The talks are ongoing, and no final agreement has been reached. Ukraine's request comes as it continues to face heavy missile strikes from Russia. Japan has supported Ukraine with humanitarian aid and non-lethal military equipment but has not directly supplied weapons due to its pacifist policies. If Japan agrees, it could mark a significant shift in its defense cooperation.