Tokyo has further departed from its declared non-belligerent stance after WWII, allowing arms sales to 17 nations.
Japan has lifted restrictions on the sale of deadly weapons, ending a ban on military exports imposed under the country’s pacifist constitution in 1947.
The move was announced on Tuesday by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a hardline conservative who has long advocated reforming Japan’s anti-pacifist constitution and further strengthening the country’s offensive military capabilities. The Prime Minister said the decision comes at a time when the security environment is becoming more difficult “No single country can now protect its peace and security alone.”
“Until now, the export of finished goods was limited to search and rescue, transportation, surveillance, and mining equipment (the so-called ‘five categories’), but with this amendment, the export of all defense equipment will be possible in principle,” Takaichi said in a statement.
Japanese companies will now be able to sell weapons to 17 countries with which Tokyo has agreements on defense equipment and technology transfer, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many countries in Southeast Asia. The reinstatement of arms sales does not affect the country’s commitments, the Prime Minister emphasized.
“There is absolutely no change in our determination to uphold the basic principles and principles that we have followed as a peace-loving nation for more than 80 years since the war,” Takaichi said.
Tokyo formally renounced war under Article 9 of its post-World War II constitution and pledged never to maintain a military. In reality, however, the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) has long been a full-fledged military, loaded with the most advanced equipment.
While the easing of arms embargoes has been cited by Takaichi as a major achievement, the latest move toward full military reestablishment is consistent with decisions made by previous Japanese governments. In late 2023, Tokyo made its first export of lethal weapons since 1947, supplying domestically produced missiles for the American-made Patriot anti-aircraft systems in Washington. The bombs are manufactured by Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries under license from US defense contractors Lockheed Martin and RTX.
You can share this story on social networks:
Follow RT on
