Japan’s departure from post-war Pacifism: Selling fighter jets signals shift

• Japan has pledged to double its military spending by 2027, citing perceived threats from China and North Korea.
• Cabinet approval is required for each sale of the fighter jets.
• The jets, developed in December 2022, will use artificial intelligence and advanced sensors to aid pilots.

The Japanese cabinet has approved the export of new fighter jets that it is developing in collaboration with the UK and Italy, marking a significant departure from its pacifist policies. To facilitate the sale of these jets, Japan has relaxed its arms export regulations, permitting the transfer to countries with which Japan has signed defense agreements, and where conflicts are not currently underway. Japan, citing the perceived threats posed by China and North Korea, has pledged to double its military spending by 2027.

Authorities stated that cabinet approval will be necessary for each sale of the fighter jets.

In December 2022, Japan joined a UK-Italy collaboration known as the Tempest to develop this new fighter jet, which will utilize artificial intelligence and advanced sensors to aid pilots.

Anticipation surrounds the deployment of the jets by 2035, signifying Tokyo’s first-ever defense equipment development partnership with a country other than the US.

Observers anticipate that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s upcoming official visit to the US in April will coincide with the latest development. During the visit, observers anticipate that he will highlight Tokyo’s alliance with Washington and its readiness to actively engage in defense partnerships.

Mr. Kishida also expressed the necessity of permitting the export of warplanes to third countries to uphold Tokyo’s credibility as a partner in future international defense projects.

“The plan to make fighter jets with capabilities essential for the security of our nation must be realized to ensure that our nation’s defenses won’t be compromised,” government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Tuesday.

Defense Minister Minoru Kihara clarified that Japan would continue to uphold the “basic philosophy of a pacifist nation” by undergoing “strict decision processes” for exports.

After World War Two, the US-occupied Japan embraced a constitution renouncing war and the use of force to resolve international disputes. The Constitution does not formally acknowledge the military and confines it to self-defense capabilities.

Under then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan eased the arms export ban for the first time in 2014.

In December 2023, Japan further relaxed the rules to permit the export of lethal weapons manufactured under foreign licenses to the country where the licenser is based.

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