Historic turning point in Japan: the country will allow defense sector companies to export almost any military equipment.
On Tuesday, Tokyo unveiled the biggest revision of arms export regulations in decades, removing restrictions on arms sales abroad and paving the way for the export of warships, missiles, and other weapons, reports Reuters.
This is a historic defense reform, as the country has thus abolished the last restrictions on arms exports in place for decades. The decision, approved by the government and the National Security Council under the leadership of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, marks a significant change for a country whose constitution has remained pacifist since the end of World War II, opening up to arms sales abroad and strengthening the national defense industry.
The amendment allows Japanese companies to export almost any military equipment, provided the buyer meets strict selection criteria and is not involved in an active conflict, specifies the Financial Times.
All the details.
HISTORIC TURNING POINT IN DEFENSE POLICY
“No country can protect its own peace and security alone anymore, and it is necessary for partner countries to support each other in terms of defense equipment,” said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in a post on X.
“Thanks to this partial revision (of the rules), it is possible, in principle, to authorize the transfer of defense equipment, including all finished products,” said Japanese government spokesperson Minoru Kihara. The change was ratified by the executive along with the National Security Council, as reported by the news agency Kyodo News.
“This is fundamental, as institutions limit opportunities,” said Hirohito Ogi, former official of the Ministry of Defense. “Japan should have reviewed these policies two or three years ago, when Russia invaded Ukraine or when China’s military ambitions became clear. Better to do something late than nothing at all.”
NEW RULES FOR ARMS EXPORTS
The revision of the “three principles on the transfer of defense equipment and technology” removes limits that allowed exports of only five categories of non-offensive equipment (rescue, transport, alert, surveillance, and demining). Exportable goods are now distinguished between arms and non-arms based on lethal capability. Exports to countries involved in conflicts remain prohibited in principle, but exceptions are provided in “special circumstances” related to national security and U.S. military operations in the Indo-Pacific area. Non-offensive systems, such as control and alert radars, can be exported without restrictions. Weapons, including destroyers and missiles, will only be sold to countries that have agreements with Tokyo on the protection of sensitive information.
STREAMLINED AUTHORIZATION PROCESS
Under the new system, ministers and officials will have broad decision-making powers on sales approvals, streamlining a long and complex process that previously required parliamentary debate, notes the British financial daily.
The new rules provide that parliament is informed of exports only after government approval, a choice criticized by the opposition, which calls for prior oversight to avoid the country’s involvement in conflicts or arms races.
FOCUS GCAP
Decisions on exports will be entrusted to the National Security Council, while the joint project for a next-generation fighter with the United Kingdom and Italy will require specific government approval.
The three countries are indeed working on the Global Combat Air Program (Gcap) for the development of the sixth-generation air combat system with entry into service planned for 2035. The Gcap program began with the convention signed between the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan in December 2023, which established a government organization (Gigo) and an industrial alliance with a JV among the lead companies (Leonardo for Italy, Bae Systems for the United Kingdom, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for Japan), formed in December 2024, operational since last June under the name Edgewing.
At the beginning of April, Edgewing was awarded the first international contract worth £686 million, funding key design and engineering activities and allowing the trilateral partnership to consolidate its momentum and accelerate delivery times.
TOKYO’S STRATEGY
The reform was advanced by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in office since October, who has supported the need to strengthen national defense and, at the same time, develop the arms industry as an economic lever.
The changes come in a security context described as the most serious since the end of World War II, aiming to intensify cooperation with partner countries and support domestic production capacity in the defense sector.
According to Reuters, Tokyo hopes that defense sector exports will strengthen its industrial base by increasing production volumes, reducing unit costs, and adding production capacity to draw on in case of military crisis.
