Japan has approved a landmark shift in its defense policy, moving to lift long-standing restrictions on the export of lethal military equipment. The decision, cleared by the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, marks a significant departure from the country’s post-World War II pacifist stance and removes the final barriers to overseas arms sales.
The policy change is part of Tokyo’s broader effort to strengthen its defense capabilities and expand cooperation with key security partners amid rising regional tensions.
While allies such as Australia have welcomed the move, it has drawn criticism from China. Several nations across Southeast Asia and Europe have also shown interest in Japan’s advanced defense technology, news agency AP reported.
For decades, Japan had tightly restricted arms exports, allowing only limited categories such as rescue and surveillance equipment. Under the revised rules, however, Tokyo can now export a wider range of military hardware, including fighter aircraft, missiles, and naval vessels—far beyond earlier provisions that covered items like protective gear, gas masks, and non-combat vehicles supplied to partners such as Ukraine and radar systems sold to the Philippines.
