Tokyo - Japanese government on Tuesday, 21 April 2026 announced its new defense policy, breaking 80-years restriction for selling lethal weapons, saying the policy is aimed to protect both national and regional peace, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said.
The government of Japan under the leadership of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has lifted restrictions that limit arms export in five categories - rescue, transport, warning, surveillance, and mine seeping.
"To protect both national and regional peace, it is important to further promote the transfer of defense equipment and strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of allies and like minded partners," Kihara said in a press conference.
"The government will strategically promote the transfer of defense equipment in order to a desirable security environment for Japan and to strengthen the industrial base that supports sustained defense capabilities," former Japan's Defense Minister added.
The restriction of selling lethal arms was imposed post the WW II.
By having its new defense policy regarding lethal arms, Japan is now able to sell its defense equipment to 17 countries that has defense agreements, including Southeast Asian countries, such as Indonesia and the Philippines.
"Japan's recent series of dangerous moves in the military and security fields have exposed its self proclaimed status as a peaceful nation and a country adhering to policy of self defense. Many experts and scholars are concerned that Japan is restarting its war machine and exporting war abroad," Spokesperson of China's Foreign Minister Guo Jiakun said in responding to Japan's new defense policy.***
