Japan allows its companies to export weapons, which the II. This has not been the case since World War II, writes the Financial Times. It would increase its importance on the global arms market, which is why Szanae Takaicsi approved the measure, which allows the export of almost any military product from the military industry, provided that the goods flow to strictly controlled buyers.
Another stipulation is that foreign buyers of Japanese weapons cannot be participants in active armed conflicts. The previous regulation, which came into effect in 2014, limited exports to “non-lethal” military equipment, such as search-and-rescue or demining equipment.
Now, however, Japanese companies such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries or Kawasaki Heavy Industries can also sell lethal weapons. According to a former Japanese defense ministry official, Japan should have amended them two or three years ago when Russia invaded Ukraine or when China’s military ambitions became clear.
Japanese officials and diplomats told the Financial Times that Japan is already in talks with some countries about a possible trade in military equipment, including Indonesia and the Philippines.
Warships and military components maker IHI says the move could help create a market environment that accelerates international cooperation. But other defense industry firms are skeptical and unsure whether they can increase production capacity to meet international demand.
