Japan’s cabinet ended a ban on lethal weapons exports, opening the door to sales of fighter jets, missiles and warships to partner countries under new controls—a major shift in its postwar defense policy.
Japan on Tuesday scrapped a longstanding ban on exporting lethal weapons, a watershed change to its postwar defense posture that will allow sales of items such as fighter jets, missiles and warships to selected partner nations.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the move in a post on X, framing it as a response to a tougher security environment. “With this amendment, transfers of all defence equipment will in principle become possible,” she said, adding that recipients must commit to use the equipment in line with the UN Charter, according to Al Jazeera’s account of her statement.
The new guideline, approved by Takaichi’s cabinet, clears the final hurdles for Japan’s postwar arms sales and is meant to deepen cooperation with defense partners and bolster the country’s industrial base, NPR reported. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the policy would help “ensure safety for Japan and further contribute to the peace and stability in the region and the international society,” while the government “strategically” promotes transfers.
Under the change, exports will initially be limited to 17 countries that have formal defense equipment and technology transfer agreements with Tokyo, with each sale requiring National Security Council approval and post-sale monitoring, according to NPR. In principle, Japan still will not export lethal weapons to countries at war; Asahi newspaper has reported that case-by-case exceptions could be considered under “special circumstances” tied to Japan’s national security needs, Al Jazeera noted.
Until now, Japan’s rules—rooted in principles set in 1967 and enacted in 1976—constrained exports largely to non-lethal gear and five approved roles such as rescue, transport, alert, surveillance and minesweeping. Limited steps in recent years started loosening those curbs, including a 2023 revision enabling sales of certain licensed components back to original licensors and paving the way for cooperation on a next-generation fighter jet with Britain and Italy, NPR reported.
Countries seen as potential buyers include Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Indonesia, according to Japanese media and officials cited in both Al Jazeera and NPR reports. Tokyo and Canberra last week formalized a deal for Japan to deliver the first three of 11 frigates for the Australian navy and to jointly build eight more. Outlets have reported differing valuations of the package—about $6.5 billion (NPR) to $7 billion (Al Jazeera)
The policy has drawn sharply mixed reactions abroad. China has criticized Tokyo’s direction and vowed to resist what it calls Japan’s militarization, Al Jazeera reported. Japan’s defense partners, including Australia, have broadly welcomed the opening as a way to integrate supply chains and speed cooperation, according to NPR.
At home, critics argue the change violates Japan’s pacifist constitution and risks heightening regional tensions. Supporters say the tighter alignment with partners and a revived defense industrial base are necessary as threats from China, North Korea and Russia intensify.
The announcement came the same day Takaichi sent a ritual offering to Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, a site that honors Japan’s war dead and is a recurrent flashpoint with China and South Korea, Al Jazeera reported.
Next, attention will turn to how quickly Tokyo moves to approve its first major sales under the new guideline—and whether additional partner countries are added to the approved list.
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