Japan's government and the ruling party are breaking the taboo on weapons exports that had been maintained under the pacifist Constitution. It is seen as a strategic decision for Japan to step away from the "exclusively defense-oriented" principle and reemerge as a major supplier in the international defense market.
The Asahi Shimbun said on the 18th that the Liberal Democratic Party government led by Sanae Takaichi has decided to significantly ease regulations to allow weapons co-developed with other countries to be exported to third countries beyond the co-developing nations.
To expand channels for weapons exports, Japan's government will fundamentally revise the operational guidelines of the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment. Until now, Japan could only send weapons for humanitarian purposes or defensive use, but going forward, lethal weapons with offensive capabilities can be added to the export list. The Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai are already said to have agreed on this direction for revising the guidelines. Asahi reported that because the government can immediately implement deregulation by will alone without revising the law, it plans to complete the procedures during the extraordinary Diet session convened on the 18th.
The move is intended to secure competitiveness for Japan's weapons systems in the global market and to inject vitality into the sluggish domestic defense industry. In particular, the most dramatic change is allowing weapons developed jointly at the international level to be exported to third countries. Previously, exceptions for third-country exports were to be allowed only for the next-generation fighter jet (GCAP) being co-developed with the United Kingdom and Italy.
But now the scope will be expanded from fighter jets to all co-developed items. To justify preventing indiscriminate proliferation, export destinations will be limited to 17 countries that have signed defense equipment transfer agreements with Japan. Government officials in Japan expect the change to strengthen its security standing in the international community and improve cooperation with allies.