Japan agrees to cancel the ban on the export of lethal weapons

Today, Tuesday, Japan ratified the cancellation of the ban on the export of lethal weapons, in a major shift in its peaceful policy that it has adopted since the end of World War II, as part of its endeavor to strengthen its military industry and expand cooperation with its defense partners.

The approval of the new directive by Prime Minister Sanae Takaishi’s Cabinet removes the last set of obstacles to Japan’s post-war arms exports.

This decision comes as Japan accelerates the process of strengthening its military capabilities in the face of increasing security challenges in the region.

Although China criticized this policy shift, it was widely welcomed by Japan’s defense partners such as Australia, and also sparked interest from countries in Southeast Asia and Europe.

Opponents believe that this change violates Japan’s pacifist constitution, will lead to increased global tensions, and threatens the security of the Japanese people.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters that the new policy “will ensure Japan’s security and will further contribute to peace and stability in the region and the international community in light of the rapid change in the security environment surrounding our country.” He added that the government “will work strategically to enhance the transfer of defense equipment to create a favorable security environment for Japan, and build an industrial base capable of supporting combat resilience.”

Japan had long banned most arms exports under its pacifist constitution after World War II, but it made amendments in recent years due to escalating global and regional tensions, with exports remaining limited in five areas: rescue, transportation, warning, surveillance, and demining.

The new directive eliminates these restrictions and allows the export of equipment such as fighter aircraft, missiles, and destroyers, which is a major shift compared to previous exports such as bulletproof vests, gas masks, and civilian-use vehicles that Japan sent to Ukraine, in addition to intelligence radars sold to the Philippines.

Exports will currently be limited to 17 countries that have signed agreements to transfer defense equipment and technology with Japan, provided that approvals are subject to the National Security Council, with the government monitoring how these weapons are managed after their export.

In principle, Japan will not export lethal weapons to countries at war.