Japan will loosen years-old restrictions on arms exports, the government said Tuesday, a significant policy change that opens the way for arms sales abroad.
“Given that the security environment is becoming increasingly complex, no country can protect its peace and security on its own,” Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters. – “In this context, I believe it is important to have partners who support each other in the field of defence equipment.”
The transfer of defence equipment and technology to partner countries will help strengthen the defence capabilities of like-minded countries, she said.
But Sanae Takaichi emphasised that Japan’s “basic principles” as a pacifist nation remain unchanged.
Previously, Japan could only transfer overseas equipment from five specific categories-rescue, transport, patrol, surveillance, and mine detection.
Japan will retain the three export principles that bind it to strict controls, controlling transfers to third countries and prohibiting sales to countries involved in conflict. But in a presentation outlining the changes, the government said exceptions could be made when deemed necessary for national security.
Japanese defence contractors that have developed advanced missile, submarine and radar technology have endorsed the move, although exports of lethal weapons to countries at war, such as Ukraine, will only be allowed in exceptional cases if deemed necessary for Japan’s national security, the FT wrote.
Japanese officials and foreign diplomats told Reuters that countries from Poland to the Philippines are exploring procurement opportunities to modernise their armed forces. One of the first deals could be to export used warships to Manila, two sources said.
US Ambassador to Japan George Glass, in a post on social media X, called the change in export rules a “historic step” towards strengthening collective defence.
China is “seriously concerned” about the changes and “will resolutely oppose Japan’s new-style reckless militarisation”, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a briefing.