Japan approves scrapping a ban on lethal weapons exports

Asia Japan approves scrapping a ban on lethal weapons exports April 21, 202612:04 AM ET By  The Associated Press Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at her office in Tokyo Monday, April 13, 2026, after holding telephone talks with her Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif. Keisuke Hosojima/AP/Kyodo News hide caption toggle caption Keisuke Hosojima/AP/Kyodo News TOKYO — Japan on Tuesday endorsed scrapping a ban on lethal weapons exports, a major change of its postwar pacifist policy as the country seeks to build up its arms industry and deepen cooperation with defense partners. World, reordering As arms race in Asia intensifies, a-bomb survivors make final plea for peace The approval by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet of the new guideline clears a final set of hurdles for Japan's postwar arms sales and facilitate its future sale of weapons such as a next-generation fighter jet and combat drones. The move comes as the country accelerates its military buildup in the face of growing security challenges in the region. While the change of policy met with China's criticism, it has been largely welcomed by Japan's defense partners like Australia and attracted interests from Southeast Asia and Europe. Sponsor Message Opponents say the change violates Japan's pacifist constitution and will increase global tensions and threaten the safety of the Japanese people. The new policy would "ensure safety for Japan and further contribute to the peace and stability in the region and the international society as the security environment around our country rapidly changes," Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters. "The government will strategically promote defense equipment transfer to create a security environment that is desirable for Japan and to build up the industrial base that can support fighting resilience." From helicopter and radar to fighter jet, destroyer and missile Japan had long prohibited most arms exports under its post-Worl...