As the nation looks to expand its arms sector and strengthen ties with defence allies, Japan on Tuesday approved lifting a restriction on the sale of lethal weapons, a significant shift from its postwar pacifist stance.
The new guideline's adoption by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet removes one last obstacle to Japan's postwar arms sales and makes it easier for the country to sell weapons in the future, including combat drones and next-generation fighter jets.
The action is taken as the nation steps up its military development in response to escalating regional security threats. China has criticised the policy move, but Japan's defence allies, like Australia, have mostly embraced it, while Southeast Asia and Europe have expressed interest.The change's opponents claim it will raise international tensions, violate Japan's pacifist constitution, and endanger the safety of the Japanese people.
According to Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, the new policy will "ensure safety for Japan and further contribute to the peace and stability in the region and the international society as the security environment around our country rapidly changes," he told reporters. "The government will strategically promote defence equipment transfer to create a security environment that is desirable for Japan and to build up the industrial base that can support fighting resilience."

From radar and helicopters to fighter jets, destroyers, and missiles
Japan's post-World War II pacifist constitution had long forbidden the majority of weaponry exports. Although exports were restricted to five areas—rescue, transport, alert, surveillance, and minesweeping—it has recently undergone adjustments as a result of growing regional and international tensions.
In contrast to previous exports such flak jackets, gas masks, and civilian-use vehicles Japan has delivered to Ukraine and intelligence radar sold to the Philippines, the new policy eliminates those restrictions and permits the transfer military equipment like fighter planes, missiles, and destroyers.
For the time being, the export will only go to 17 nations who have agreements with Japan regarding the transfer of technology and defence equipment.In theory, Japan will continue to refrain from sending deadly weapons to nations engaged in hostilities.
Japan started exporting some non-lethal military equipment in 2014. In December 2023, it approved a modification that would permit sales of dozens of lethal weapons and parts that it produces under licenses from other nations back to the licensors, including the United States.
An earlier easing in 2023 allowed Japan to export America Patriot missiles made in the United States in order to compensate Washington for sending munitions to Ukraine. The change also made it possible for Japan to collaborate with Britain and Italy on the development of a sixth-generation fighter plane.

Last week, Japan finalised its largest-ever agreement to supply the Australian navy with the first three of a $6.5 billion class of Japanese-built frigates and to jointly construct eight more in that nation.
Growth strategy for the arms industry
Japan's wartime history led to the adoption of a postwar constitution that restricts its military to self-defence and has long enforced stringent export regulations on weapons, despite its heavy reliance on the U.S. military presence in the area and the importation of costly American arsenals.
For a long time, the country's defence industry served mainly the Defence Ministry and the Self-defence Force, making it an unappealing sector that did not improve company image or revenues. Numerous contractors had pulled out.

That is evolving. In response to challenges from China, North Korea, and Russia, Japan has expedited the development of its military and defence sector in order to take on more aggressive duties. Funding for academic research and businesses has surged as a result. In order to protect southwestern islands, Japan also wants to develop a defence system that uses a network of drones for surveillance and defence against threats.
Additionally, Japan is taking part in joint exercises with the United States and the Philippines, where it was required to fire a T88 missile, and it has increasingly added combat responsibilities in multinational military drills.
A increasing number of large corporations and startups are expressing interest in the defence sector, which is one of the Takaichi government's 17 strategic areas for growth, particularly in dual-use products and drones.Prospects for prospective clients
Australia praised Tokyo's new strategy as a step to strengthen their defence alliance and signed a deal with Japan on Saturday to supply three improved Mogami-class frigates from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and jointly manufacture eight more.Following the signing ceremony with his Japanese counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles stated at a joint press conference that "the relaxation of these controls is going to be really important to developing the seamless defence industrial base."
The Japanese frigates have also piqued the interest of New Zealand. According to Koizumi, a number of other nations, such as the Philippines and Indonesia, have also shown interest in Japanese military hardware.MHI, which began mass-producing long-range missiles for deployment in southern Japan in March, has stated that it anticipates a favourable outlook from the rising defence contracts and intends to significantly increase manpower in the shipbuilding and missile industries.
Thirty NATO delegates travelled to Japan this week to talk about strengthening their relationship in light of U.S. President Donald Trump's shaky commitment to the alliance. They went to a Mitsubishi Electric Corp. unit that is involved in the trilateral fighter jet project and is renowned for its satellite technology.