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Japan opens door to global arms market with biggest export rule change in decades
The revised rules keep strict screening while allowing all defense equipment, as Japan seeks to strengthen its industrial base and expand sales abroad.
- On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi endorsed scrapping a ban on lethal weapons exports, removing five categories that previously limited military sales to non-lethal equipment.
- Tokyo aims to strengthen its defense industrial base by boosting production volumes and lowering per-unit costs while deterring threats from China near East China Sea islands.
- Contractors like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries can now build advanced systems for foreign markets, with nations including Poland and the Philippines exploring procurement opportunities and Japan developing a next-generation fighter with Britain and Italy.
- Global conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are straining weapons production, expanding opportunities for Japan as allies seek to diversify supply amid uncertainty under President Donald Trump.
- Critics argue the change violates Japan's pacifist constitution, though the government will maintain three export principles requiring strict screening while Ministers assess the merits of each proposed sale individually.
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85 Articles
85 Articles
Japan breaks 60 years of restrictions on the sale of lethal weapons and begins to allow exports to warring countries. Critics warn of the end of post-war pacifism.
·Portugal
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Tagesschau+6 Reposted by 6 other sources
The Japanese government has largely lifted its historical restrictions on arms exports abroad. In the future, the country will be allowed to sell arms classified as "lethal weapons".[more]]>
·Hamburg, Germany
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources85
Leaning Left35Leaning Right11Center21Last UpdatedBias Distribution52% Left
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources lean Left
52% Left
L 52%
C 31%
R 17%
Factuality
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