Japan eases arms export rules, allowing the sale of next-generation fighters

The Japanese government on Tuesday, March 26, eased strict rules on the transfer of defense equipment to allow global exports of next-generation fighter jets to be developed jointly with the United Kingdom and Italy, removing an obstacle to the trilateral project. This was reported by Kyodo, according to UNN.

Details

It is noted that the cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida approved updated guidelines for the transfer of defense equipment and technology after his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner, the Komeito Party, agreed to revise the current rules for military exports.

The publication adds that Tokyo's agreement to sell future state-of-the-art fighters on the world market was considered a major obstacle to the implementation of the trilateral project, as it significantly reduced its economic attractiveness.

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At the same time, the new rules impose several restrictions. For example, Japan will be able to export fighter jets that the three countries intend to build by 2035, provided that the country that buys them is not engaged in hostilities.

In addition, the range of potential buyers is limited to countries with which Japan has signed agreements on the transfer of defense equipment and technology, which currently number only 15, including its close ally the United States.

In addition, each future sale will require separate review and approval by the Japanese government.

These restrictions were imposed by the LDP in order to reassure the Komeito, a traditionally pacifist party with a dovish stance on security issues, and to obtain its agreement in principle to revise the rules for exporting military products.

Addendum

According to its pacifist constitution, Japan maintains a ban on the export of weapons developed in the country or with its participation in international projects to third countries, and the government assures that its commitment to this basic philosophy of a pacifist nation will remain unchanged, which will be guaranteed by strict procedures for making export decisions.

The fighter jet is currently in the design phase, and the three countries aim to develop specifications and performance requirements for the new aircraft in the next five years or so.

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