Japan Likely to Scrap Defense Equipment Export Restrictions

Tokyo, Dec. 4 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government and ruling parties are considering scrapping as early as next spring a defense equipment transfer rule that limits exports to five types of defense equipment, such as rescue and transport gear, informed sources said Thursday. Through the move, the country hopes to expand security cooperation with allies and like-minded nations and bolster its defense industry. As the removal of the restrictions will enable the country to export highly lethal equipment, the focus will likely be on restrictive measures such as those on a stricter screening process. The rule was included in the operational guidelines for Japan’s three principles for defense equipment exports, compiled in 2014, stipulating that the country can only export finished defense products falling under the five categories of rescue, transportation, vigilance, surveillance and minesweeping. So far, the country has provided a surveillance radar system to the Philippines under this rule. Some in the Japanese government are discussing a plan to scrap the five equipment categories from the guidelines, and instead, stipulate that equipment transfers will be allowed for finished products in general. The revision to the guidelines is decided by the National Security Council and does not require approval from the cabinet or the Diet, Japan’s parliament. If the restrictions are scrapped, exports of a wide range of equipment, including highly lethal items such as destroyers and missiles, would become possible, paving the way for strengthening the foundation of the country’s defense industry. On the other hand, some have questioned how the move aligns with the country’s commitment to pacifism, out of concern that equipment exports may fuel conflicts in other nations. On Thursday, the Japan Innovation Party, also known as Nippon Ishin no Kai, held a meeting of its security research commission to assess the points of contention in the debate on abolishing the restrictions. The JIP, the new coalition partner of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, plans to compile its ideas by the end of this year. Seiji Maehara, who heads the commission, told reporters that the current rule is “a factor hindering the (country’s efforts) to enhance deterrence and has an extremely negative impact on the defense industry.” The government and ruling parties are discussing various proposals on measures to keep exports in check, such as one requiring all such exports to obtain cabinet approval. As Komeito, which had positioned itself as the braking force in security policy, ended its coalition partnership with the LDP in October, an LDP member well-versed in defense matters called for careful discussions, saying that the JIP could “become a turbocharged engine.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]