Japan on Tuesday unveiled its biggest overhaul of defense export rules in decades, lifting restrictions on overseas arms sales and paving the way for the export of warships, missiles and other weapons, UNN reports with reference to Reuters.
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The move, aimed at strengthening Japan's defense industrial base, marks another step away from the pacifist restrictions that have shaped its post-war security policy.
Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are also straining US arms production, expanding opportunities for Japan. At the same time, US allies in Europe and Asia are seeking to diversify suppliers, as Washington's long-standing security commitments appear less certain under a Donald Trump presidency, the publication writes.
"No country can protect its peace and security alone now, and partner countries that support each other in terms of defense equipment are needed," Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a post on X.
The amendments, approved by the Takaichi government, exclude five categories of exports that restricted most military exports to equipment for rescue, transport, warning, surveillance, and demining. Instead, ministers and officials will assess the feasibility of each proposed sale.
Japan will retain three export principles that commit it to strict selection, control over transfers to third countries, and a ban on sales to countries involved in conflict. But in a presentation outlining the changes, the government said exceptions could be made when deemed necessary for national security.
Japanese officials and diplomats told Reuters that countries from Poland to the Philippines are exploring procurement opportunities as they modernize their armed forces. One of the first deals could be the export of used warships to Manila, two sources said.
The Philippines, along with Japan's southwestern island chain, is part of what military planners call the First Island Chain, a chain of islands that restricts China's access from its coastal waters to the western Pacific.
"This historic step will not only strengthen the defense capabilities of countries cooperating with the Japan-US alliance, but also strengthen our collective ability to maintain peace throughout the region and further protect freedom," George Glass, US Ambassador to Japan, said on X.
Tokyo hopes that defense exports will strengthen its industrial base by increasing production volumes, reducing unit costs, and adding manufacturing capacity that it could rely on in the event of a military crisis.
Contractors such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries can build advanced systems, including submarines, fighter jets, and missiles, but for decades have relied on small orders from a single customer – the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
"This has led to increased costs and inefficiencies. By expanding markets, they hope to benefit from economies of scale and breathe new life into Japan's industrial base, especially with many smaller companies," said Jeffrey Hornung, an expert on Japanese security policy at the RAND Corporation.
Japan is working hard to strengthen its military – buying missiles, stealth aircraft, and drones, which it says are necessary to deter any threat from China, particularly around its islands near Taiwan.
Beijing has stated that its intentions in East Asia and elsewhere are peaceful.
Tokyo is also developing a next-generation fighter jet with the UK and Italy for deployment in the mid-2030s, part of a strategy to share development costs and gain access to new technologies.
Japan has steadily increased its defense spending to 2% of GDP in recent years, and the Takaichi government is expected to announce further increases this year when it publishes a new security strategy.