Japan’s Defense Export Revolution: A Game Changer in Global Politics? – Part 1

Japan, which has had strictly limited arms exports since its defeat in World War II, is accelerating its defense exports. According to Japanese media, Japan announced a plan to approve the export of the sixth-generation advanced fighter jet being jointly developed with the UK and Italy at a cabinet meeting on March 26. Consequently, Japan has opened the way to export fighter jets to 15 countries with signed defense equipment and technology transfer agreements.

Previously, in December of last year, Japan was known to be exploring ways to indirectly support Ukraine by exporting domestically manufactured surface-to-air Patriot Missiles 3 (PAC-3) and its predecessor, Patriot Missiles 2 (PAC-2), to the United States. For this, Japan has also started revising the operating guidelines for the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment that strictly regulate arms exports. If successful, it would be the first case of Japan’s exporting a completed weapon with lethal capabilities.

In 1967, Japan effectively banned arms exports under the Three Principles on Arms Exports declared by the Eisaku Sato administration. Then, during the Shinzo Abe administration in 2014, it partially permitted this under the Three Principles on Defense Equipment Transfers. However, it limited the export purposes of defense equipment to five areas, including rescue and transportation, surveillance, and hazard removal (removal of dangers such as sea mines). It did not allow the export of lethal weapons.

But now, it is entering the full-fledged arms export market. Japan is considering revising its defense guidelines to allow direct arms exports to conflict zones in the future, and the United States is not strongly opposed to this.

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