Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday that his government will supply Ukraine with defense equipment, such as bulletproof vests and helmets, in what was seen as a rare move by Japan amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Kishida said that defense equipment, including bulletproof vests, helmets, tents, winter clothing, food items, hygiene products, cameras, and power generators, will be sent to Ukraine by Japan’s Self Defense Forces. “We hope to deliver the goods to support the people of Ukraine who are facing difficulties as soon as possible,” Kishida was quoted saying by local media Kyodo News. The announcement was made after the National Security Council’s meeting on Friday. This is an uncommon move for Japan, as the country had long banned the export of defense equipment. The ban was overturned by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2014, who allowed exports in cases that contribute to global peace and serve …