An Update on Jointly Developed Fighter Jets with Britain and Italy

The Japanese ruling coalition, comprised of the Liberal Democratic Party and its pacifist junior partner Komeito, is currently navigating discussions around the potential export of next-generation fighter jets jointly developed with Britain and Italy. Komeito is reluctant to be perceived as simply following the ruling party's plans for exporting defense equipment, sparking careful negotiations between the two sides on the terms and conditions of the export agreement.

During a recent meeting on March 8, policy chiefs from both parties agreed to work towards finalizing an agreement by the end of the month, emphasizing the importance of setting clear conditions for the potential export of the jointly developed fighter jets. One key consideration being raised is the possibility of limiting exports to only the fighter jets and not extending it to other jointly developed defense equipment, with a focus on avoiding exporting to countries currently involved in military conflicts. Additionally, the coalition is contemplating implementing a more stringent decision-making process for any future export decisions related to the fighter jets.