Japan “unleashes” next-generation fighter jets

Japan on March 26 eased strict defense equipment transfer rules to allow worldwide exports of next-generation fighter jets it will develop with Britain and Italy, removing a hurdle for the trilateral project.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's cabinet approved updated guidelines on the "three principles for transferring defense equipment and technology" after his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito Party agreed on revised export rules on March 15.

The revised rules stipulate that Japan can export the fighter jets that Tokyo-London-Rome plans to deploy by 2035 to a third country, but exclude transferring the fighters to a country at war.

Japan needs an export plan to ensure it can develop fighter jets capable of meeting the country's security needs, and the "land of the rising sun" could join a trilateral project with Britain and Italy as "equal partners", the Cabinet said.

The new rules also say the destination of exported fighter jets will be limited to countries that have signed treaties with Japan on the transfer of defense technology and equipment, which currently number 15, including the United States – Japan's close security ally.

In addition, each individual case requires separate Cabinet approval before the deal can be executed.

World - Japan — Defense ministers of Japan, Britain and Italy hold a meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on the trilateral new fighter jet project called GCAP, December 2023. Photo: Japan Times

The restrictions on fighter jet exports were implemented as the conservative LDP led by Mr. Kishida tried to reassure Komeito, traditionally a pacifist party with a moderate stance on security issues, which fears Japan could sell weapons without proper procedures and provoke conflict.

Prime Minister Kishida said allowing Japan to transfer fighter jets to third countries was necessary to ensure effective spending on fighter jet development and maintain Tokyo's credibility as a partner in other international defense projects in the future.

Under its Constitution, Japan has maintained a ban on exporting internationally developed weapons to third countries.

Amid China's growing military power in the Indo-Pacific region, the fighter jet program with the two NATO members marks Japan's first joint defense equipment development agreement with countries other than the United States.

Japan hopes the new generation of fighters will provide the advanced capabilities it needs amid rising tensions in the region.

Tokyo has “unleashed” arms exports under certain conditions after lifting its arms embargo in 2014, aiming to strengthen security ties with like-minded countries and boost related domestic industries through exports of weapons and ammunition.

In December last year, Japan revised its arms export regulations to allow domestically produced weapons under foreign licenses to be shipped to the country where the licensee is based .

Minh Duc (According to Nikkei Asia, AP)

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