INTERVIEW: Indian Institute Head Hails Japan’s Lifting of Arms Export Ban

New Delhi, July 2 (Jiji Press)–The head of an Indian defense research institute in an interview has praised Japan’s recent decision to lift its ban on arms exports, voicing hopes for the joint production of warships by and the promotion of defense equipment cooperation between the two nations. “I greatly welcome it,” said Sujan Chinoy, director-general of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses, who served as Indian ambassador to Japan from 2015 to 2018. “It is something that is going to help Japan with regard to its future security and defense.” He noted that Japan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office last October, has proposed providing Abukuma-class destroyers of the country’s Maritime Self-Defense Force to the Philippines after their decommissioning while planning to export an upgraded version of the MSDF’s Mogami-class frigate to Australia. “I believe (Japan has) been in touch with India with regard to the Mogami-class frigates.” Chinoy emphasized the need for Japan to diversify its defense equipment production sites to “trusted” partner countries, saying that “geographically small countries run a very big danger of trying to keep their front-line sophisticated military industrial complex limited to their own geography.” Such production sites “can easily be targeted” if war breaks out, he said. India is an ideal partner in this regard, Chinoy said. Japan could utilize warships and weapons made in the South Asian country, he said, calling such moves an “insurance policy” and “risk mitigation.” Japan effectively removed its export ban on lethal weapons in April by revising its three principles on defense equipment transfers and their implementation guidelines. The institute head said that the Indian public views Japan’s defense policy shift favorably, saying, “Indians would say it is high time (for Japan to do so).” “Japan is a peace-loving country, (and) that does not change,” he went on. “But to be a peace-loving country does not mean that you allow yourself to be so hamstrung, as…your hands and feet are tied, that you can be bullied by others.” Chinoy cited the risk of pressure from China, including more military exercises and intrusions into areas around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, which are under Japanese administration and claimed by China. But if Japan takes a “proactive” defense policy, that could deter such actions, he said. Japan has relied “for too long” on the United States for defense and security, Chinoy said, adding that other countries are “taking advantage of this.” He said: “What Japan’s policies were earlier was quite different. They were not normal.” “Now it is becoming normal,” Chinoy said. Chinoy dismissed concerns that Japanese arms that may be exported to India could be passed on to other countries. “There is no basis” for such apprehension or concern, he said. India buys military equipment from many countries, including the United States and France, but has never given them to other countries, Chinoy stressed. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]