Japan Ruling Bloc Submits Proposal on Lethal Arms Exports

Tokyo, March 6 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, submitted a proposal Friday for revising the operational guidelines for the country’s three principles on defense equipment exports, aiming to pave the way for allowing exports of lethal arms. The proposal was submitted to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi by Yasukazu Hamada and Seiji Maehara, security policy chiefs of the LDP and JIP, respectively, among other officials. It called for the removal of restrictions that currently limit defense equipment exports to five categories: rescue, transport, vigilance, surveillance and minesweeping. Based on the proposal, the government plans to revise the operational guidelines as early as this spring. The proposal is aimed at strengthening Japan’s cooperation with allies and like-minded countries, and enhancing domestic defense production and technological base. It marks a significant shift in Japan’s security policy, as the country has maintained a cautious stance over arms exports. The government will face the need to provide careful explanations about the major shift and introduce safeguards. Takaichi said that the government must thoroughly explain the operational guidelines revision to the public, according to Hamada. Under the proposal, defense equipment will be classified as either arms, such as destroyers, submarines and missiles, or non-arms equipment, such as bulletproof vests and helmets. Their transfers will be allowed in principle. Arms export destinations will be limited to countries with which Japan has reached agreements concerning the transfer of defense equipment and technology, and such shipments will be subject to screenings by the National Security Council, comprising the prime minister and cabinet ministers. The proposal called for the government to “study and obtain a final plan” regarding ways to provide detailed explanations on the policy shift to parliament and the public. Transfers to countries where fighting is taking place will not be allowed in principle, but may be permitted under special circumstances linked to Japan’s national security. No restrictions will be imposed on the destinations of non-arms exports. The LDP and JIP had agreed in their coalition deal last October to seek to abolish the five categories in the operational guidelines for the country’s three principles on defense equipment exports. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]