National Security Council Revises Three Principles, Allowing Lethal Weapons Exports Subject to PM-Led ReviewDeepen Military Ties with Select Allies
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sawagiri. (Photo: screengrab from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force website)
On March 21, Japan decided to abolish regulations that had restricted the export of lethal weapons. The plan is to expand arms exports to strengthen the competitiveness of its defense industry while also enhancing its combat capabilities in contingencies.
According to Nikkei Shimbun and other sources, the Japanese government revised the ‘Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology,’ its export control regulations, and its operational guidelines at a National Security Council (NSC) meeting on that day.
The Japanese government redefined the purpose of its export policy as ‘creating a favorable security environment for Japan by strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of allies and friendly nations’ and abolished the ‘five purposes for arms exports’ regulation.
Until now, Japan had limited the export of defense equipment to five categories: rescue, transport, vigilance, surveillance, and minesweeping. The export of finished products with lethal capabilities was, in principle, prohibited. Previously, items like destroyers and fighter jets could only be exported through exceptional means, such as joint development and production with other countries.
However, with Japan’s abolition of this regulation, the path is now open for exporting weapons with lethal capabilities. Nevertheless, the export of lethal weapons must undergo a review by an NSC meeting attended by the Prime Minister. As notification to the Diet regarding arms exports will be done via after-the-fact written reports, the Diet’s oversight role has been effectively nullified.
Japan’s arms export destinations are limited to countries that have signed defense equipment and technology transfer agreements. This includes 17 countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, the Philippines, France, and the United Arab Emirates. Including countries where agreements are currently being negotiated, the number could potentially expand to about 20 nations.
Exports to parties involved in an armed conflict will be prohibited in principle, but will be allowed as an exception by government decision if deemed necessary for Japan’s security. For example, this means that if the United States participates in a war, Japan could provide it with weapons to maintain its military posture in the Indo-Pacific region.
Weapons co-developed with other nations can also be exported to belligerent nations if deemed necessary for Japan’s security. However, in the case of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a next-generation fighter jet development project being jointly pursued with the United Kingdom and Italy, exports to belligerent nations are prohibited, considering its use of cutting-edge technology and its significant battlefield impact.
Japan, which had effectively banned arms exports based on its Pacifist Constitution, lifted these restrictions based on the judgment that the security environment around Japan is deteriorating. The argument is that amid China’s strengthening of its missile and aircraft carrier capabilities and North Korea’s continued missile development, Japan must participate in the global defense supply chain and enhance military cooperation with its allies and friendly nations.
This policy also reflects an industrial policy objective to foster the defense industry at a national level. Unlike the United States and the United Kingdom, which have large corporations specializing solely in the defense sector, Japan’s defense industry has been handled by a few manufacturing companies that primarily focus on other businesses. For most of these companies, defense-related sales accounted for less than 20% of their total revenue. Japan’s plan is to open the way for arms exports to increase investment in advanced fields like artificial intelligence (AI) and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), and to strengthen the foundation for next-generation technology development.
Japan’s approval of arms exports, coupled with the expansion of the Self-Defense Forces’ role and increased defense spending, is interpreted as a move to dismantle the Pacifist Constitution system and transform into a ‘war-capable normal state’. On March 18, Japan signed a contract to supply 11 Mogami-class frigates to Australia for 10 trillion won (approximately $7.4 billion). This is its first warship export since its defeat in World War II and its largest arms export deal in history.
Bloomberg News reported, “Security hardliner Prime Minister Takaichi, within six months of taking office, has laid the groundwork to elevate Japan’s military stature and for it to become a major player in the defense industry.”
Jung Suk-yee
댓글
0