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Rattled by Trump, US allies eye Japan's biggest arms opening since WW2

Poland and the Philippines are among the first potential buyers as Japanese firms add staff and capacity to meet expected demand.

  • Japan's government approved changes this week to ease arms export rules, sparking strong interest from Poland and the Philippines as the country seeks to invigorate its military industrial base.
  • Driven by frustration over late deliveries from the United States' foreign military sales program and strain from conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, allies are seeking alternative defense partners.
  • Japan spends $60 billion this year on its military, and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government is encouraging contractors like Mitsubishi Electric and Toshiba to expand capacity to capitalize on demand.
  • Building supply chains that do not rely on the United States is a key objective, with a Polish defence Group having signed a tentative drone deal with aircraft maker ShinMaywa last year.
  • While Beijing expressed concern about Tokyo's policy shift, some Japanese firms remain hesitant; Toyota Customising declined a military contract request, citing policy constraints "based on our business scope and policy.
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Reuters broke the news in United Kingdom on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
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