Japan Loosens Arms Export Restrictions
Japan has eased long-standing restrictions on its arms exports, enabling it to sell weapons to over a dozen countries. This development, announced on Tuesday, represents a significant shift from Tokyo's post-war pacifist defence policy amid rising regional tensions.
The previous limitations confined arms exports to five categories: rescue, transport, warning, surveillance, and minesweeping. These restrictions will now be lifted, allowing Japan to sell lethal weapons to the 17 countries with which it holds defence agreements, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
Despite this relaxation, a ban on arms sales to nations engaged in conflict remains in place. However, authorities have indicated that exceptions may be made under "special circumstances."
"In an increasingly severe security environment, no single country can now protect its own peace and security alone," Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi wrote on X on Tuesday.
"Absolutely no change in our commitment to upholding the path and fundamental principles we have followed as a peace-loving nation for over 80 years since the war," she added.
"Under the new system, we will strategically promote equipment transfers while making even more rigorous and cautious judgments on whether transfers are permissible," Takaichi stated.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara explained during a press briefing that the policy change is "intended to safeguard Japan's security and further contribute to the peace and stability of the region."
China has expressed strong opposition, describing Japan's move as "reckless militarisation" and stating it is "seriously concerned." Beijing's foreign ministry declared in a routine briefing that China will remain "highly vigilant and resolutely opposed [to the move]."
Japan's Self-Defence Forces Join War Games as Combatants
The announcement coincides with Japan's Self-Defence Forces participating in annual joint military exercises with the United States and the Philippines. For the first time, Japan is joining the war games as active combatants rather than observers.
China has opposed these drills, asserting that they deepen regional divisions. The exercises are conducted in parts of the Philippines near waters and islands claimed by Beijing, including Taiwan.
China regards self-governed Taiwan as a breakaway province destined to be reunified under Beijing's control, and has not ruled out using force to achieve this goal.
Last year, Prime Minister Takaichi drew criticism from Beijing after suggesting in parliament that Japan could deploy its Self-Defence Forces if China attacked Taiwan.
Eight Decades of Pacifism
Japan's post-World War Two constitution, enacted in 1947, renounces war as a means of settling international disputes and prohibits maintaining war potential. This pacifist stance has been integral to Japan's national identity for decades, though it has gradually evolved.
In 2014, then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe relaxed a comprehensive ban on military sales, permitting joint development of arms with allies and expanding access for Japan's defence industry to new markets and technologies.
In 2023, then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida advanced this policy further by allowing exports of finished lethal weapons for the first time since World War Two.
Prime Minister Takaichi supports revising the pacifist constitution. While she has not detailed specific amendments, many anticipate changes to Article 9, which renounces war.
Supporters argue that Japan must adapt to a new security reality, surrounded by China, Russia, and North Korea, where previous rules no longer suffice.
Conversely, critics express concern that Japan is moving toward becoming a war-capable nation, fearing that constitutional reform could entangle Japan in future military conflicts.
