Japan approved Tuesday the removal of a ban on exporting lethal weapons, a move the government said is intended to strengthen Japan’s defense industrial base as security concerns rise in the region. The decision came from the Cabinet of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, clearing steps needed for a wider set of wartime-linked defense items to be transferred to overseas partners.
The approval eliminated an existing restriction on exports of lethal weapons and replaced it with new guidance for transfers of defense equipment. Under the change, Japan can export a broader range of military-related hardware that had previously been limited by its post-World War II pacifist posture, including items such as combat aircraft, missiles and destroyers.
At a news briefing, Cabinet Chief of Staff Minoru Kihara said the new policy would “garantizar la seguridad de Japón y contribuirá aún más a la paz y la estabilidad en la región y en la sociedad internacional a medida que el entorno de seguridad alrededor de nuestro país cambia rápidamente.” He also said the government would “promoverá estratégicamente las transferencias de equipos de defensa para crear un entorno de seguridad que sea deseable para Japón y para fortalecer la base industrial que pueda respaldar la resiliencia de combate”.
The government said the policy is accompanied by continued export controls to third countries and that Japan would not provide lethal weapons to countries that are at war, while acknowledging that exceptions could be made. Japan officials also said the transfers would require additional approval by the National Security Council and that the government would oversee how any exported arms are managed after transfer.
Japan’s exports had long been constrained in most cases by its pacifist constitution, with previous limits covering five categories: rescue, transport, alerts, surveillance and demining. The new directive removes those limits for lethal weapons, allowing Japan to export systems and equipment that are more directly tied to combat capability.
The shift also marks a change from existing exports that have included non-lethal items. Japan has previously sent equipment such as bulletproof vests, gas masks and other civilian-use vehicles to Ukraine, and it has sold intelligence-related radar systems to the Philippines, according to the report.
For the time being, the government said lethal weapons exports would be limited to 17 countries that have signed defense equipment and technology transfer agreements with Japan. Officials said transfers would still need National Security Council approval and follow Japan’s oversight approach for end-use and downstream handling.
Japan’s recent policy evolution also extends beyond the new Cabinet guidance. In December 2023, Japan approved changes that would allow it to sell tens of lethal weapons and components manufactured under third-party licenses back to the licensing countries, part of which would enable the sale to the United States of Patriot missiles designed in the United States to help offset ammunition the United States sent to Ukraine.
The government has also been moving toward joint development and large-scale deals, including a planned sixth-generation fighter project developed jointly with the United Kingdom and Italy. The report also cited Japan’s week-old agreement with Australia for a major arms package: Japan is expected to deliver the first three frigates from a Japanese-designed fleet for $6.5 billion and build, together with Australia, additional frigates.
The policy change drew different reactions from potential partners and from critics. China criticized the shift, while it was broadly welcomed by Japan’s defense allies, including Australia, and it has also drawn interest from countries in Southeast Asia and Europe, the report said.
Australia agreed Saturday to receive three improved Mogami-class frigates and to co-produce an additional eight, and it welcomed the new Tokyo policy as a step to deepen its defense partnership. New Zealand also showed interest in Japan’s frigates, and the report said other countries have expressed interest as well, including the Philippines, which officials said seeks to buy used destroyers.
The report said a group of 30 NATO representatives visited Japan last week to discuss tighter ties at a time when the role of the United States in its alliance has been “shaken” by President Donald Trump. The group visited a Mitsubishi Electric Corp. unit involved in a trilateral fighter program and described as known for satellite technology.
Japan’s change comes as its defense posture has accelerated in response to threats the government associates with China, North Korea and Russia, the report said. The defense sector has been a strategic growth area under Takaichi’s approach, with officials describing efforts to draw increased investment interest from both large companies and startups—particularly in dual-use goods and drones—along with more funding for startups and academic research.
The government said officials believe the transfer rules would deepen military cooperation with partners and support regional deterrence. China criticized the shift, while Japan’s defense partners largely welcomed it, and the report said the decision sparked increased interest among countries beyond Australia, including in Southeast Asia and Europe.
Opponents argued the Cabinet’s action violates Japan’s pacifist constitution and could raise global tensions, while also threatening Japanese public security. Supporters framed the change as a way to adapt to rapidly shifting conditions around Japan and to strengthen a defense industrial base that can sustain combat resilience.
For now, Japan said it remains committed to strict controls on exports to third countries and would not provide lethal weapons to countries in war, while allowing for exceptions. The government said it would supervise how weapons are handled after transfer and that the National Security Council would review the transfers, keeping the process tied to an additional layer of oversight beyond the Cabinet decision.