Japan Lifts Weapon Export Ban in Principle

Tokyo, April 21 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government Tuesday revised its implementation guidelines for its three principles on defense equipment transfer, making it possible for the country to export lethal equipment such as fighter jets and destroyers. This marks a turning point for Japan, which has been strictly restricting arms exports under the banner of a peaceful nation. At Tuesday’s meeting of the National Security Council, the government scrapped the rules limiting the scope of defense equipment that can be exported to the five categories of rescue, transportation, vigilance, surveillance and minesweeping. Exports to a country where fighting is taking place will be allowed under special circumstances. “We’ll strategically promote defense equipment transfer to create a desirable security environment and strengthen the (domestic) industry foundation that supports our combat ability,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a news conference. Japan aims to deepen coordination with its ally and like-minded countries and improve its ability to continue fighting in the event of an emergency. Defense equipment will be classified into weapons and nonweapons based on their lethality and destructive capability. Export destinations will be limited to the United States, Australia, the Philippines and 14 other countries that have signed agreements on the transfer of defense equipment and technology with Japan. As for items classified as nonweapons, there are no restrictions on export destinations. Weapons cannot be exported to countries where fighting is taking place as part of an armed conflict. However, exceptions may be made for special circumstances, such as when a partner country needs weapons in a region related to Japan’s security. The next-generation fighter being jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is not considered eligible for export because advanced technology will be applied to the aircraft. The NSC will examine each case to decide whether individual weapon exports should be permitted. The government will tighten management by establishing new screening criteria, including on the impact on military balance between export destination countries and their neighbors, as well as on the maintenance systems of those countries. To prevent transfer of weapons to third countries, monitoring of exported items will be strengthened, including through on-site inspections. At a cabinet meeting Tuesday, main provisions of the three principles on defense equipment transfer were also revised to require the government to make ex post facto notification to the Diet, or parliament, when it approves arms exports. Regarding why the government decided not to seek prior involvement of the Diet, the National Security Secretariat said that the government followed examples of European countries that adopt a parliamentary system of government like Japan. Additionally, restrictions on foreign direct investment related to defense equipment were eased. The government plans to hold meetings of director-general level officials mainly from the foreign, defense, industry and finance ministries to promote exports. The lifting of the arms export ban “will ensure the safety of Japan and contribute to regional and international peace and stability,” Kihara said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]