Japan undergoes a major departure from its pacifism policy

(SeaPRwire) –   Tokyo has moved further away from its long-standing post-WWII pacifist policy by authorizing the sale of weaponry to 17 countries.

Japan has removed barriers to the export of lethal weapons, effectively concluding a prohibition on military sales that had been in place since the adoption of the nation’s pacifist constitution in 1947.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative who has consistently pushed for constitutional reform and the expansion of Japan’s offensive military power, announced the policy shift on Tuesday. The Prime Minister justified the decision by citing a deteriorating security landscape, noting that “no single country can now protect its own peace and security alone.”

“Previously, the international transfer of finished goods manufactured domestically was restricted to equipment for search and rescue, transport, surveillance, and minesweeping—the so-called ‘five categories.’ However, this amendment allows for the transfer of all defense equipment in principle,” Takaichi stated.

Japanese firms are now permitted to export arms to 17 nations that maintain defense equipment and technology transfer pacts with Tokyo, a list that includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and several Southeast Asian countries. The Prime Minister maintained that this relaxation of export controls does not undermine the nation’s commitment to pacifism.

“There is absolutely no change in our commitment to upholding the path and fundamental principles we have followed as a peace-loving nation for over 80 years since the war,” Takaichi asserted.

Under Article 9 of its post-WWII constitution, Tokyo formally renounced war and pledged to forgo a military. In practice, however, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) have evolved into a fully operational military equipped with advanced weaponry.

Although Takaichi has framed the easing of these restrictions as a significant milestone, this move toward full re-militarization aligns with the trajectory of prior administrations. In late 2023, Tokyo conducted its first export of lethal arms since 1947, providing domestically manufactured missiles for US Patriot air defense systems to Washington. These munitions are produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries under license from US defense firms Lockheed Martin and RTX.