Japan scraps a ban on lethal weapons exports in a change of its postwar
pacifist policy
[April 21, 2026]
By MARI YAMAGUCHI
TOKYO (AP) — Japan on Tuesday scrapped a ban on lethal weapons exports,
a major change in its postwar pacifist policy as the country seeks to
build up its arms industry amid worries over Chinese and North Korean
aggression.
The approval by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet of the new
guideline clears a final set of hurdles for many arms sales, including
of Japanese-developed warships, combat drones and other weapons.
China criticized the change in policy, but it has been largely welcomed
by Japanese defense partners like Australia and attracted interest from
Southeast Asia and Europe.
Opponents say the change violates Japan’s pacifist constitution and will
increase global tensions and threaten the safety of the Japanese people.
The new policy will “ensure safety for Japan and further contribute to
the peace and stability in the region and the international society as
the security environment around our country rapidly changes,” Chief
Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters. “The government will
strategically promote defense equipment transfers to create a security
environment that is desirable for Japan and to build up the industrial
base that can support fighting resilience."
Japan could start selling weapons like missiles and destroyers
Japan has long prohibited most arms exports under its post-World War II
pacifist constitution. It has made recent changes because of rising
global and regional tensions, but exports were limited to five areas:
rescue, transport, alerts, surveillance and minesweeping.
The new guidelines scrap those limits and allows the export of equipment
such as fighter jets, missiles and destroyers. That's a major change
from existing exports such as flak jackets, gas masks and civilian-use
vehicles that Japan has sent to Ukraine and intelligence radars sold to
the Philippines.
For now, such exports will be limited to 17 countries that have signed
defense equipment and technology transfer agreements with Japan. They
also must be approved by the National Security Council, and the
government will monitor how the weapons are managed afterward.
Japan remains committed to strict screening and export controls to third
countries and will not offer lethal weapons to countries at war,
officials said, but granted that exceptions could be made to that limit.
Japan began to export some non-lethal military supplies in 2014, and in
December 2023 it approved a change that would allow sales of dozens of
lethal weapons and components that it manufactures under licenses from
other countries back to the licensors, clearing the way for Japan to
sell U.S.-designed Patriot missiles to America to make up for munitions
that Washington sent to Ukraine.
[to top of second column]
|
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at her
office in Tokyo Monday, April 13, 2026, after holding telephone
talks with her Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif. (Keisuke
Hosojima/Kyodo News via AP)
The 2023 revision also paved the way for Japan to jointly develop a
sixth-generation fighter jet with Britain and Italy, and for Japan's
biggest arms deal ever, which was formalized last week with
Australia. It calls for Japan to deliver the first three of a $6.5
billion fleet of Japanese-designed frigates for the Australian navy
and jointly build eight others in that country.
Japan aims to build up its arms industry
Japan's domestic defense industry was long seen as a bad investment,
limited to catering to only the Self-Defense Force and Defense
Ministry. Dozens of former defense contractors have withdrawn from
the market.
That is changing as Japan accelerates a buildup of its military and
defense industry to play more offensive roles in the face of threats
from China, North Korea and Russia.
The defense industry is one of 17 strategic areas targeted for
growth under the Takaichi government. A growing number of major
companies and startups are showing interest, especially in dual-use
goods and drones.
The government also has increased funding for startups and academic
research.
Officials say they believe Japan’s new arms transfer rules would
contribute to deepening of military and defense equipment
cooperation with Japanese partners and to the regional deterrence.
Outlook for potential customers
Australia on Saturday signed an agreement with Japan for delivery of
three of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' upgraded Mogami-class frigates
and to jointly produce eight others. It welcomed Tokyo’s new policy
as a move to deepen their defense partnership.
New Zealand has also showed interest in the Japanese frigates.
Several other countries have also expressed interests in Japanese
defense equipment, including the Philippines, which is seeking to
buy used destroyers, officials said.
Last week, a group of 30 NATO representatives visited Japan to
discuss further deepening ties as the U.S. commitment to its
alliance has been shaken by U.S. President Donald Trump. They
visited a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corp., which is part of
the trilateral fighter jet project and also known for its satellite
technology.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
