Tokyo, April 21 (Reuters) – Japan unveiled on Tuesday an unprecedented overhaul in decades of its defense export regulations, lifting restrictions on arms sales to foreign countries and paving the way for deliveries of warships, missiles, and other weapons.
This move, aimed at strengthening Japan’s defense industrial base, marks a milestone in Tokyo’s shift away from pacifist constraints that have defined its security policy since World War II.
It comes amid opportune circumstances, with American weapons production geared towards wars in Ukraine and the Middle East on one hand, and European and Asian allies of the United States looking to diversify their suppliers amid uncertainties regarding Washington’s security commitments.
“No country can now protect its peace and security alone,” said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the social network X. “Partner countries that support each other in terms of defense equipment are necessary.”
Japanese officials and diplomats have told Reuters in the past that a range of countries, from Poland to the Philippines, were considering the possibility of acquiring military equipment as part of their army modernization.
According to two of these sources, one of the first agreements reached by Tokyo could be the delivery of warships to Manila.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro welcomed the lifting of Japan’s defense export restrictions, stating in a press release that this would give Manila access to “the highest quality defense goods” to “contribute to regional stability through deterrence.”
DEFENSE BUDGET ON THE RISE
Tokyo lifted restrictions on five categories of defense equipment, whereas most of its military exports were previously limited to relief, transport, disaster prevention, and surveillance equipment.
From now on, the Japanese government and representatives will assess sales proposals on a case-by-case basis.
Some restrictions will remain in place, such as controls on potential equipment transfers to third countries and a ban on sales to countries involved in conflicts.
However, the Japanese government indicated in a document outlining the changes that exceptions could be granted when deemed necessary for reasons of national security.
With this regulatory overhaul, Tokyo hopes to boost its industrial base by taking advantage of increased production volumes and reduced unit costs, with the prospect of manufacturing capabilities ready to respond to a potential military crisis.
Companies like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries can produce advanced systems such as submarines, fighter jets, and missiles, but have depended for decades on limited orders from a single client – the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.
Tokyo has embarked on an unprecedented strengthening of its military capabilities, acquiring missiles, fighters, and drones, described as necessary to guard against any threat from China, especially near disputed territories in the East China Sea, near Taiwan.
Japan is also developing, alongside the United Kingdom and Italy, a next-generation fighter jet project set to debut in the mid-2030s.
It is expected that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government will announce additional defense spending increases this year, which have regularly risen in recent years to reach 2% of Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP).
(Tim Kelly, with contribution from Mikhail Flores in Manila; Editing by Jean Terzian)
by Tim Kelly
