The Japanese Government approved this Tuesday the largest reform of its defense export regulations since World War II, authorizing the sale of lethal weapons, including missiles and warships, to the 17 countries with which Tokyo maintains defense cooperation agreements. The decision comes despite the fact that 67% of Japanese people reject the sale of lethal weapons abroad, according to a survey published hours before the approval.

First modification: 04/21/2026 - 11:54 Last modification: 04/21/2026 - 12:18

The pacifist policies that have distinguished Japan after World War II received a shock this Tuesday, with the approval by the Government of the largest reform of its regulations on the export of lethal defensive material, which will allow the country to sell weapons abroad.

The change lies in the fact that until now the sale of defense articles was limited to five categories: rescue, transportation, warning, surveillance and demining. With the new policy, Japan will be able to sell weapons such as missiles or warships to the 17 countries with which it has signed defense cooperation agreements, including the United States and the United Kingdom, with prior approval from the authorities.

It also leaves the door open to exporting weapons to countries in conflict if the authorities consider that there are "special circumstances."

"In an increasingly complex security environment, no country can protect its peace and security alone... it needs partner countries to support each other in defense," said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

"Responding to these needs and transferring defense equipment will contribute to improving the defense capabilities of these countries and, ultimately, preventing conflicts, thus guaranteeing the security of Japan," the president said on the X social network.

To display this content from X (Twitter), you must allow audience measurement and advertising cookies.

In this regard, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said that "we will continue to promote these transfers after carrying out strict examinations, evaluating whether they contribute to Japan's security and the deterrence of our partners."

Boost for the defense industry

Experts point out that the expansion of the defense market will allow economies of scale and will revitalize the industrial sector, especially among smaller companies.

The national defense industry, until now limited to producing only for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, expands its supply capacity with the new government guidance.

Companies like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries can manufacture advanced systems such as submarines, fighter jets and missiles, but for decades they have relied on limited orders from the Japanese government.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi highlighted that "the export of equipment allows companies to maintain greater production capacity compared to exclusive production" for the Self-Defense Forces.

Opportunities for Japan are expanding given the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, which are putting pressure on U.S. weapons production capacity. At the same time, Washington's allies in Europe and Asia seek to diversify suppliers in the face of the uncertainty generated by President Donald Trump's positions.

Tokyo is also working with the United Kingdom and Italy to develop a next-generation fighter that is expected to be deployed in the mid-2030s.

Far from pacifist policies

This change does not come in isolation. Since 2022, Japan has been gradually strengthening its military capabilities: it increased its defense spending and acquired weapons such as cruise and hypersonic missiles. However, those plans lacked concrete measures to export such weapons, blocked in part by opposition from the government's then-coalition partner, the center-right Buddhist Komeito party.

The unlocking came with an internal political change. After losing Komeito as a partner, Takaichi's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) formed a coalition with the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), more favorable to military expansion. That agreement opened the door to reform.

Takaichi argued the move was confident that the export of Japanese military materiel to allied countries would help prevent conflicts and "ensure Japan's security."

The opinion of the majority of Japanese people is against allowing the sale of lethal weapons to other countries. This is revealed by a survey published on Monday, April 20, by the Japanese newspaper Asahi, in which 67% of those surveyed were reluctant. Several mass protests have recently occurred in Tokyo against Takaichi's plans to reform the Constitution to protect the role of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.

China is "seriously" worried

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at a regular press conference on Tuesday that China is "seriously" concerned about Japan's easing of arms export restrictions.

Beijing, which has been in a diplomatic dispute with Tokyo since the end of 2025 on behalf of Taiwan, has been warning for months about what it considers growing militarism in the archipelago.

The increase in Japan's defense spending to 2% of GDP, and the development of new military systems, including missiles, stealth aircraft and drones, has among its objectives to deter threats, particularly from China.

Chinese state media Global Times accused Japan of seeking accelerated remilitarization to drive "a new phase of large-scale military expansion" in an editorial published on Sunday, July 19.

Philippines welcomes change

Japanese officials indicated that countries such as Poland and the Philippines are exploring acquisition opportunities. One of the first deals could be the export of used warships to Manila.

For Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, this change will allow him to access "the highest quality" defense equipment, strengthen internal resilience and contribute to regional stability through deterrence.

The Philippines and Japan's southwestern island chain are part of a strategic barrier that limits China's access to the western Pacific, explaining Teodoro's emphasis on regional stability. This agreement allows them to deepen their security ties, including facilitating joint military operations and the exchange of supplies.

With information from EFE, Reuters and local media

Related keywords

The content you requested does not exist or is no longer available.