On April 21, Japan announced the biggest reform in decades regarding defense export regulations, paving the way for the sale of warships and missiles abroad.
This decision removes previous restrictions that limited exports to equipment such as rescue, transportation, warning, monitoring and mine clearance. The government will shift to evaluating each specific deal instead of applying a rigid list.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that no country can guarantee security on its own, emphasizing the need for cooperation between partners in the field of defense equipment. This move reflects a significant change compared to Japan's post-war policy of restraint.
Some countries such as Poland and the Philippines are considering the possibility of purchasing equipment from Japan in the process of modernizing their forces. One of the first agreements may be the export of used warships to Manila. Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro welcomed this change and said it would help strengthen defense capabilities and regional stability.
Despite easing regulations, Japan still maintains 3 export control principles, including strict screening, limiting transfer to third parties and not selling to conflicting countries. The government said it can still make exceptions if necessary for national security.
Tokyo expects defense exports to help strengthen the industrial base, increase output, reduce costs and improve production capacity in the event of a crisis. Corporations such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have the ability to manufacture submarines, fighter jets and missiles, but have long mainly served one customer, the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
In parallel, Japan continues to strengthen its military capabilities, including purchasing missiles, stealth aircraft and drones to deter threats in the region. This country is also cooperating with the UK and Italy to develop new generation fighter jets expected to be deployed in the mid-2030s.
Japan's defense spending has increased to 2% of GDP in recent years and may continue to be increased when a new security strategy is announced.
