Japan's Cabinet has approved a plan to sell next-generation fighter jets developed jointly with Britain and Italy to other countries. This decision marks a significant departure from Japan's postwar pacifist principles and is intended to secure Japan's role in the joint project and bolster its arms industry.
The Cabinet also revised Japan's arms equipment and technology transfer guidelines to allow coproduced lethal weapons to be sold to countries beyond the project partners. This move represents a further relaxation of Japan's long-standing restrictions on arms exports.
Japan's decision to allow fighter jet exports is driven by rising regional and global tensions, particularly from China. The new plane is expected to provide Japan with advanced capabilities to counter potential threats from its rivals.
However, the decision has faced criticism from opponents who argue that the government has not adequately explained or sought public approval for such a major policy change. The government has responded by limiting exports to the fighter jet for now and promising not to sell weapons for use in active wars.
The revised guidelines currently apply only to the fighter jet, and any future exports would require Cabinet approval. Potential purchasers will be limited to countries with which Japan has defense partnership and equipment transfer agreements.