Overview
- Japan’s Cabinet and National Security Council approved an overhaul Tuesday that scraps five non-combat export limits and rewrites the rules for selling defense gear overseas.
- The new framework allows exports of fighter jets, missiles and warships to 17 countries that have signed defense equipment and technology transfer agreements with Japan.
- Approvals will run through the National Security Council with the Diet notified after decisions, and Japan will classify items as weapons or non-weapons to guide reviews and controls.
- Officials say the policy is meant to lift output, cut unit costs and plug Japan into allied supply chains, while keeping a bar on sales to active war zones except in narrowly defined security cases with post-export monitoring.
- China lodged formal objections as Australia and other partners welcomed the move, and Reuters reported buyer interest from Europe and Southeast Asia, including a possible deal for used warships to the Philippines, while protests and opposition parties voiced domestic concerns.