In a significant policy shift, Japan’s cabinet has approved the easing of weapon export rules, enabling the international sale of a new fighter jet developed in collaboration with the UK and Italy, marking a departure from its post-WWII pacifist principles.
Japan has made a landmark decision to ease its rules on weapons exports, allowing for the international sale of a new fighter jet developed in collaboration with the UK and Italy. This decision, approved by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s cabinet, signifies a substantial deviation from Japan’s post-World War II pacifist principles. The move aims to bolster Japan’s role in the Global Combat Air Programme, a joint venture aiming to develop an advanced combat aircraft by 2035.
The easing of export controls is poised to open up broader opportunities for Japanese defense contractors and enable Japan to make more significant contributions to the program alongside its British and Italian partners. The government has outlined a framework enabling weapon exports to ensure balanced contributions to the project. This comes as Japan seeks to respond to the escalating threat from China by enhancing its regional security role.
Despite facing opposition, a deal was secured, allowing the transfer of the new fighter jet to 15 countries holding defense equipment transfer agreements with Japan. Each export, however, will require separate cabinet approval, and restrictions will be confined to the fighter jet program.
This collaborative effort, merging Japan’s F-X program with the UK and Italy’s Tempest project, aims to create a supersonic jet more efficiently and cost-effectively. Additionally, Japan is reportedly planning a significant upgrade to its security alliance with the US, expected to be announced during Kishida’s visit to Washington in April.
The decision to allow international arms sales represents a strategic step to enhance Japan’s global security presence and boost its arms industry amidst regional tensions, notably with China. It marks a significant shift in Japan’s military and defense industry landscape, indicating a more assertive global security role. Despite criticisms regarding the lack of public consultation on such a significant policy shift, the Japanese government has assured that exports will be initially limited to the fighter jet project and not authorized for use in active wars.