The Japanese government has largely lifted its historic restrictions on arms exports abroad.
April 21, 2026, 06:23April 21, 2026, 06:23
As the Kyodo news agency reported, the changes approved by the Cabinet and the National Security Council are aimed at “expanding Japan’s security cooperation with partner countries.” This means that the country is increasingly turning away from the pacifist course it adopted after the Second World War.
Under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan is pursuing a stricter security policy.Image: keystone
In the future, the country will be allowed to sell military equipment classified as “lethal weapons” to countries with which Japan has certain defense agreements. According to Kyodo, exports to conflict regions should also be possible in exceptional cases.
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is seen as a representative of a tough security policy. The export easing is seen, among other things, as an attempt to expand the domestic arms industry. Japanese companies have so far been largely limited to producing for the country’s own armed forces. In particular, the neighboring states of North Korea and China, which are rapidly arming themselves militarily, are increasingly perceived as a threat in Japan.
Tokyo’s national security depends heavily on its traditional ally, the United States. But since US President Donald Trump’s second term in office, the United States has been perceived as an increasingly unreliable partner. Trump has repeatedly questioned US security guarantees to his allies. (sda/dpa)