Japan lifts self-imposed ban on military exports
Print Edition
JAPAN yesterday relaxed a decades-old ban on military-related exports in a bid to expand joint arms development with allies and equipment sales to Southeast Asia and elsewhere.
The new export guidelines pave the way for Japan to join arms technology development with the US and other allies, including Britain, France and Australia, and acquire more advanced defense capabilities and equipment, said Nobushige Takamizawa, deputy chief of a recently created National Security Secretariat.
He said Japanese contractors could also gain access to technology and enhance their competitiveness.
The move, which reverses Japan’s nearly half century-old self-imposed restrictions on weapons-related exports, could escalate tensions with China and South Korea.
Yosuke Isozaki, a special adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, said weapons or related technology exports would be allowed only when they serve international cooperation or Japan’s national security. He said Japan will scrutinize the importing country’s intentions and ensure that the exports are not transferred to third parties without Japan’s consent.
“There is no change to Japan’s policy of not allowing exports that would encourage other countries’ conflicts,” he told reporters at an embargoed briefing on Monday.
Takamizawa said Japan will primarily export technology and equipment for rescue, transport, surveillance and mine sweeping, and is not considering equipment such as tanks and fighter jets.
Possible exports include rescue aircraft to India and anti-piracy patrol ships to Indonesia and the Philippines.
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