The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner, Komeito, have reached an agreement to permit the export of next-generation fighter jets jointly developed with Britain and Italy. This landmark decision was made on March 15th by LDP policy chief Kisaburo Tokai and Komeito counterpart Yosuke Takagi.
Following extensive discussions, the agreement incorporates safeguards to limit Japan's unrestricted export of military equipment and technologies. The export ban will be lifted specifically for this fighter jet model, rather than all internationally co-developed defense equipment. Potential importers must have relevant agreements with Japan and be excluded from current military conflicts.
The Cabinet will retain the authority to approve each case before a jointly developed fighter jet is exported to a third country. This next-generation aircraft is intended to replace the Air Self-Defense Force's F-2 fighter jets, which are expected to be decommissioned around 2035.