In a historic departure from its post-war pacifist stance, Japan’s cabinet has greenlit the export of cutting-edge fighter jets developed in collaboration with the UK and Italy. This decision signals Tokyo’s shifting defence posture amid escalating regional tensions.
The eased arms export regulations now permit the sale of these advanced aircraft to nations with which Japan has established defence agreements, provided there is no active conflict. This move underscores Japan’s heightened concerns over perceived threats from neighbouring powers, particularly China and North Korea.
The fighter jets, envisioned as part of the Tempest project initiated in December 2022, are slated to incorporate artificial intelligence and state-of-the-art sensor technologies, promising enhanced operational capabilities for future users. Scheduled for deployment by 2035, this joint endeavour marks Japan’s inaugural defence equipment partnership outside its traditional alliance with the United States.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s forthcoming visit to the United States in April is expected to underscore Tokyo’s commitment to bolstering defence ties and its willingness to engage in broader international security initiatives.
Mr. Kishida emphasised the necessity of allowing fighter jet exports to third-party countries to uphold Japan’s credibility as a reliable defence partner in future multinational ventures. Government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi reiterated the imperative of fortifying national security without compromising Japan’s longstanding commitment to pacifism.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara affirmed Japan’s adherence to its pacifist principles, stressing that all export decisions would undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure alignment with the country’s defence ethos.
Japan’s pacifist constitution, crafted during the post-World War II American occupation, renounces war and prohibits the use of force in international disputes. However, recent years have witnessed incremental shifts, including the relaxation of arms export restrictions in 2014 under then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Subsequent amendments, such as the 2023 revision allowing the export of domestically produced lethal weaponry under foreign licenses, mark a departure from decades of stringent pacifist policies. Notably, this adjustment facilitated the shipment of Patriot air defence missiles to the United States, indicative of Japan’s evolving strategic outlook amidst global geopolitical shifts.
Editor: Andreea Gudin
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