Japan Lifts Ban on Lethal Weapons Exports in Major Policy Shift

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1112 EAT on Tuesday 21 April 2026

Japan has moved to ease longstanding restrictions on arms exports, with the cabinet of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi approving the export of lethal weapons, including fighter jets, in a notable departure from the country’s post-war pacifist policy framework.

Announcing the decision on X on Tuesday, Takaichi did not outline specific categories of weapons to be sold abroad. However, local media reports suggest the policy shift could extend to fighter aircraft, missiles and naval vessels, including defence equipment Japan has recently agreed to jointly develop for Australia.

“With this amendment, the transfer of all categories of defence equipment will, in principle, be permitted,” Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said, noting that eligible recipients would be restricted to countries that pledge to use the equipment in line with the United Nations Charter.

She added that the evolving global security landscape meant that “no country can safeguard its peace and security on its own.”

Japan’s Chunichi newspaper reported that at least 17 countries are expected to qualify to purchase Japanese-made weapons under the revised policy. The report added that the number could increase as Tokyo signs additional bilateral defence cooperation agreements.

Previous rules, introduced in 1967 and formally implemented in 1976, had effectively restricted Japanese military exports to non-lethal equipment such as surveillance systems and mine-sweeping technology, according to Japan’s Asahi Shimbun.

The publication further reported that Japan will continue to bar weapons exports to countries involved in active conflict, although exemptions may be granted under “special circumstances” where national security considerations are deemed to apply.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Chunichi Shimbun reported, citing the Ministry of Defence, that potential buyers of Japanese-made weapons include Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Indonesia, which recently signed a major defence pact with the United States.

-Aljazeera

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