TOKYO — Japan on Tuesday approved ending its longstanding ban on exports of lethal weapons, marking a major shift in its postwar pacifist defense policy as Tokyo seeks to expand its arms industry and deepen cooperation with defense partners.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet endorsed new guidelines that clear final hurdles for broader arms sales, paving the way for future exports of systems such as next-generation fighter jets and combat drones. The policy change comes amid an accelerated Japanese military buildup in response to growing regional security challenges and has drawn criticism from China while being welcomed by allies including Australia and attracting interest from Southeast Asian and European countries. Opponents argue the move violates Japan’s pacifist constitution, risks increasing international tensions and could threaten Japanese safety.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the new rules are intended to “ensure safety for Japan and further contribute to peace and stability in the region and the international society as the security environment around our country rapidly changes.” He added the government will strategically promote defense equipment transfers to create a security environment favorable to Japan and to build an industrial base that supports resilience in conflict.
What changes
For decades after World War II, Japan limited arms exports under a pacifist constitution. Recent easing allowed some nonlethal supplies and, in December 2023, permitted sales of certain lethal items and components manufactured under foreign licenses back to the original licensors. Exports had previously been largely confined to five areas: rescue, transport, alert, surveillance and minesweeping.
The new guideline removes those category limits and allows exports of major platforms and weapons — including fighter jets, missiles and destroyers — beyond the limited items (flak jackets, gas masks, civilian vehicles and such) Japan had sent to Ukraine or radar systems sold to the Philippines. Exports will be restricted initially to 17 countries that have signed defense equipment and technology transfer agreements with Japan; such transfers must also receive National Security Council approval and the government will monitor post-transfer management. In principle, Japan will not export lethal weapons to nations at war.
Background and recent moves
Japan began permitting some nonlethal military supplies in 2014. The 2023 revisions aimed in part to allow Japan to supply U.S.-designed Patriot missiles to the United States and to enable joint development of a sixth‑generation fighter with Britain and Italy. Last week Japan finalized its largest-ever defense deal: a $6.5 billion agreement to deliver three Japanese-designed frigates to Australia and jointly build eight more there.
Industry and strategy
Japan’s postwar restrictions and reliance on U.S. forces and imported American systems left its domestic defense industry small and narrowly focused on Self-Defense Force needs. That has been shifting as Tokyo boosts military spending and promotes the defense sector as one of 17 strategic growth areas under the Takaichi administration. The government is increasing support for startups and academic research, emphasizing dual-use goods and drone networks for surveillance and combat to defend remote southwestern islands. Dozens of contractors that once withdrew are now seeing renewed opportunities.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), which began deploying long-range missiles from southern Japan in March and is scaling up production, expects a positive outlook from rising defense contracts and plans significant hiring in missile and shipbuilding sectors. Japan has also taken more combat roles in multinational exercises, including a joint drill with the U.S. and the Philippines in which it was to fire a T88 missile.
International response and prospects
Australia hailed the policy shift as important for creating a seamless defense industrial base. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, after signing the frigate deal with Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, said the relaxation will deepen defense industrial ties. New Zealand has shown interest in the frigates, and countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia have expressed interest in Japanese equipment, Koizumi said. A recent visit by 30 NATO representatives to Japanese defense facilities, including a Mitsubishi Electric subsidiary involved in the trilateral fighter project and satellite technology, signaled growing Western engagement as some question U.S. alliance commitments under U.S. President Donald Trump.