Japan opens door to global arms market with overhaul of defense export rules

Japan on Tuesday unveiled its biggest overhaul of defense export rules in decades, scrapping restrictions ​on overseas arms sales and opening the way for exports of warships, missiles and other weapons, Report informs via Reuters.

The move aimed at strengthening Japan's defense industrial ‌base marks another step away from the pacifist restraints that have shaped its postwar security policy.

Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are also straining US weapons production, expanding opportunities for Japan. At the same time, US allies in Europe and Asia are looking to diversify suppliers as Washington's long-held security commitments look less certain under President Donald Trump.

"No single country can now protect its own ​peace and security alone, and partner countries that support each other in terms of defense equipment are necessary," Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in ​a post on X.

The revision approved by Takaichi's government removes five export categories that had limited most military exports to rescue, transport, ⁠warning, surveillance and mine-sweeping equipment. Ministers and officials will instead assess the merits of each proposed sale.

Japan will keep in place three export principles that commit it ​to strict screening, controls on transfers to third countries and a ban on sales to countries involved in conflict. But in a presentation outlining the changes, the government said ​exceptions could be made when deemed necessary for national security.

As ‌Beijing's regional ⁠influence grows, Manila and Tokyo have deepened security ties. In September, they signed an agreement making it easier for their forces to operate in each other's territory, and in January eased rules for exchanging military supplies.

"This historic step will not only enhance the defense capabilities of countries collaborating with the Japan-US alliance but also strengthen our collective capacity to maintain peace throughout the region and safeguard freedom even further," George Glass, the US Ambassador to Japan, said on X.

Tokyo hopes defense ​exports will shore up its industrial base ​by boosting production volumes, lowering per-unit ⁠costs and adding manufacturing capacity it could draw on in a military crisis.

Contractors such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries can build advanced systems, including submarines, fighter aircraft and missiles, but for decades have depended on small orders from a single customer, Japan's Self-Defense ​Forces.

"It has driven up costs and inefficiencies. By expanding the markets, they hope to benefit from economies of scale and pump ​some new life into ⁠Japan's industrial base, especially with many of the smaller companies," said Jeffrey Hornung, an expert on Japanese security policy at the RAND Corporation.