On Tuesday, Japan’s Cabinet approved a plan to sell fighter jets to other countries. Japan is developing the aerial weapons with the United Kingdom and Italy. The decision is the latest move away from the country’s post-World War II pacifist principles.
Japan’s constitution states that its military can act only in self-defense. And Japan has long limited arms exports. This anti-war stance was in part a response to its wartime past as aggressor and the dismay after its defeat in World War II.
But the nation has altered its long-held stance. For the first time, Japan can export lethal weapons to countries that aren’t co-producers.
Japan had been working on its own jet design. But in December 2022, the country decided to merge the effort with a British-Italian program. The joint project, known as the Global Combat Air Program or GCAP, is based in Britain.
The three countries are developing an advanced fighter jet. The new plane would replace Japan’s aging fleet of American-designed F-2 fighters and Eurofighter Typhoons.
Japan hopes the new jet will give the island nation a technological edge against regional rivals China and Russia.
Opponents criticize Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government for committing to the fighter jet project. They say he did so without providing a reason to the public or seeking approval for the major policy change.
To address such concerns, the government is limiting exports of co-developed lethal weapons. For now, only the jets can be sold. The government also promises that no sales will be made for use in active wars.
Potential purchasers will be limited to 15 countries. Those are the nations that Japan already has defense deals with, such as the United States, Germany, India, and Vietnam.
In December, Japan approved a change that allowed the country to sell Japan-made, U.S.-designed Patriot missiles to the United States. Those sales will help replace weapons that the U.S. government is sending to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Kishida is planning an April state visit to Washington, D.C. He will likely stress Japan’s readiness to take on a greater role in military and defense industry partnerships.
The decision to allow global arms sales could help secure Japan’s role as an important part of the fighter jet project and boost its budding defense industry.
