Japan Institute for National Fundamentals
https://jinf.jp/

Speaking out

Takashi Arimoto

【#1362】Welcome Liberalization of Defense Equipment Exports

Takashi Arimoto ／ 2026.04.21 (Tue)


April 20, 2026

　
On April 21, the Japanese government revised its “three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology” and their implementation guidelines at Cabinet and National Security Council meetings to expand defense equipment exports. The effective lifting of the ban on defense exports gives Japan the advantage of being able to provide each other with defense equipment with partner countries such as Australia. Southeast Asian countries also place great hopes on Japanese defense equipment.

Anachronistic Komeito

The export of defense equipment has been a long-standing issue in Japan. In 2014, the Shinzo Abe administration revised the “three arms export principles,” which had in principle banned arms exports, and tried to pave the way for multilateral joint arms development and security cooperation. However, out of consideration for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s coalition partner Komeito, the administration limited the types of defense equipment eligible for export to five categories: Rescue, Transport, Warning, Surveillance, and Minesweeping.

When the Sanae Takaichi administration took office last autumn, the Japan Innovation Party replaced the Komeito party as the LDP’s coalition partner, leading to the policy review.

Komeito leader Toshiko Takeya has questioned the abolition of the five categories, noting that about half of respondents in polls are against it. But it is Komeito that fails to face reality.
At the House of Councillors Budget Committee on March 17, Komeito Secretary General Minoru Nishida cited then Foreign Minister Kiichi Miyazawa as saying in 1976, “Our nation has not stooped so low as to make money by exporting weapons.” In response to the citation, Prime Minister Takaichi said: “We are now in an age where we must increase the number of partner countries and work together to achieve regional stability.” She is right.

In 1976, China was in turmoil caused by the Cultural Revolution and its military budget was limited. In 2026, however, China’s defense spending for the central government totals 1.9095 trillion yuan (about 43.4 trillion yen), almost five times as much as Japan’s defense-related budget of 9.0353 trillion yen. As Takaichi said, “the times have changed.”

Beijing has criticized Japan, saying, “the reckless moves of Japan’s ‘new militarism’ must be resolutely blocked" (Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning). Beijing seems to have forgotten that China is one of the world’s biggest arms suppliers.

Expand exports through public-private cooperation

During the enactment of the law that allows Japan to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping operations and the Peace and Security Legislation permitting the limited exercise of the right of collective self‑defense, opinion polls also showed strong opposition. However, public understanding deepened as Japan accumulated a record of implementation. A similar broadening of support can be expected for the review of defense equipment transfer rules, provided that proper screening and oversight are ensured.

Japan’s defense cooperation with partner countries has been held back due to Komeito’s resistance, and as a result the Japanese defense industry has shrunk. Although abolishing the five categories lowered institutional constraints, close cooperation between the government and the private sector will be essential for the Japanese defense industry to become competitive in the export market.

Takashi Arimoto is a Planning Committee member at the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals and a columnist at the Sankei Shimbun newspaper.