Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Unmanned surface vehicle is displayed at the DSEI Japan defense show at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, east of Tokyo, Japan, March 15, 2023. Reuters-Yonhap
TOKYO — Japan on Tuesday unveiled its biggest overhaul of defence export rules in decades, scrapping restrictions on overseas arms sales and opening the way for exports of warships, missiles and other weapons.
The move aimed at strengthening Japan's defence industrial base marks another step away from pacifist restraints that have shaped its postwar security policy.
Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are also straining U.S. weapons production, expanding opportunities for Japan. At the same time, U.S. allies in Europe and Asia are looking to diversify supply as Washington's long-held security commitments look less certain under President Donald Trump.
Japanese officials and diplomats have told Reuters that countries ranging from Poland to the Philippines are exploring procurement opportunities as they modernise their forces. One of the first deals could be the export of used warships to Manila, two of the sources said.
The changes approved by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government remove five export categories that had limited most military exports to rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping equipment. Ministers and officials will instead assess the merits of each proposed sale.
Japan will keep in place three export principles that commit it to strict screening, controls on transfers to third countries and a ban on sales to countries involved in conflict. But in a presentation outlining the changes, the government said exceptions could be made when deemed necessary for national security.
Japan also building up its own military
Japan hopes such defence exports will strengthen its industrial base by boosting production volumes, lowering per-unit costs and adding manufacturing capacity it could draw on in a military crisis.
Contractors such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries can build advanced systems including submarines, fighter aircraft and missiles, but for decades have relied on small orders from a single customer, Japan's Self-Defense Forces.
Source: Korea Times News
