In a significant shift from its longstanding pacifist stance, Japan’s government has greenlit a proposal to market its forthcoming next-generation fighter aircraft, a collaborative venture with the United Kingdom and Italy, to international buyers. This move marks a departure from Japan’s post-World War II commitment to pacifism and is aimed at cementing Japan’s involvement in the joint fighter jet initiative, as well as fostering the growth of the Japanese defense industry and enhancing its contribution to global security dynamics.
The government has also agreed to update Japan’s guidelines on the transfer of arms equipment and technology, permitting the sale of co-produced lethal weaponry to nations beyond the original partnership. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized the necessity of these revisions in light of Japan’s current security challenges. He assured that despite these changes, Japan’s foundational pacifist principles remain intact. Hayashi highlighted the importance of transferring finished products to non-partner nations to ensure the defense capabilities of Japan are not compromised, all while adhering to a stringent approval protocol for the sales of these jets.
Japan’s pivot from its pacifist constitution, which has traditionally limited arms exports, comes amid escalating regional and global tensions, notably with China. This policy adjustment enables Japan to export co-produced lethal arms for the first time, marking a significant policy shift.
The collaboration with Italy and the U.K. aims to develop a state-of-the-art fighter jet to replace Japan’s aging F-2s, designed by the U.S., and the Eurofighter Typhoons, currently in service with the U.K. and Italian forces. This joint effort, known as the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), seeks to amalgamate Japan’s initially independent F-X project with the British-Italian Tempest program, aiming for deployment by 2035.
This initiative reflects Japan’s strategic response to the increasing tensions in its region, aiming to secure a technological advantage over adversaries such as China and Russia. Despite its aggressive military past and the subsequent adoption of a self-defense-only military policy, Japan has maintained stringent controls on military equipment and technology transfers, including a complete ban on lethal weapon exports.
Critics have voiced concerns over Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s administration’s commitment to this fighter jet project without adequate public discourse or approval for such a significant policy shift. In response, the government has limited the export permissions to the jet project for the time being, ensuring that these weapons will not be sold for use in active conflicts. Furthermore, the government has clarified that any future exports would require Cabinet approval and be restricted to countries with existing defense partnership and equipment transfer agreements with Japan.
Public opinion on this plan appears divided. In a notable policy change in 2014, Japan began exporting non-lethal military supplies and, more recently, approved the sale of lethal weapons and components manufactured under foreign licenses, including U.S.-designed Patriot missiles. This move was partly to support the United States in replenishing munitions sent to Ukraine.
As Japan prepares for a state visit to Washington in April, Prime Minister Kishida is expected to highlight Japan’s readiness to assume a more prominent role in military and defense industry partnerships, potentially bolstering Japan’s defense sector, which has historically served only the domestic market.
This policy shift not only signifies Japan’s evolving stance on defense and security but also underscores the complexities of navigating contemporary global tensions while adhering to pacifist principles.