JAPAN’S Ruling Liberal Democratic Party, led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, is allowing the export of next-generation fighter jets to other countries in their security policy blueprint.
Despite its strict policy concerning arms exports, japan is now considering allowing exports of next-generation fighter jets to other countries.
It can be remembered that Japan had long maintained a tight ban on arms exports, except for items that are jointly developed or produced with other countries.
The Japanese government allows the export of defense equipment to other countries for rescue, transportation, vigilance, surveillance, and minesweeping.
Japan’s ruling party led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has always been in favor of lifting the arms export ban by easing Japan’s guidelines on equipment and technology export under the pacifist constitution—a constitution in Japan outlawing war.
However, LDP’s junior coalition partner, Komeito, has been hesitant in easing Japan’s guidelines on equipment and technology export, for fear that arms sales to other countries could only heighten arm conflicts to Japan’s postwar pacifism.
LDP and Komeito said the exports of defense equipment with lethal weapons, will still be under further discussion.
