Japan has endorsed the scrapping of its ban on lethal weapons exports, marking a major shift in its postwar pacifist policy. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet approved new guidelines that allow the nation to sell arms overseas for the first time since World War II. This move is aimed at strengthening Japan's defense industrial base and deepening cooperation with defense partners.
The policy change comes as Japan faces rising threats from China and unpredictability from its main ally, the United States, amid intensifying geopolitical rivalries and growing security challenges in the region. These changes facilitate Japan's growing engagement in international defense-industrial projects and reflect an acceleration of its military buildup and increased defense spending.
The new guidelines remove previous restrictions that limited exports to five categories: rescue, transport, warning, surveillance, and minesweeping. Japan can now export advanced defense equipment, including fighter jets, missiles, destroyers, and combat drones. This is a significant departure from previous exports, such as intelligence radar sold to the Philippines or flak jackets and gas masks sent to Ukraine.
While the move has been welcomed by defense partners like Australia and has attracted interest from Europe and Southeast Asia, it has faced criticism from China. Opponents argue that the decision violates the country's pacifist constitution, threatens the safety of the Japanese people, and will increase global tensions.