Japan Set for Historic Arms Export Shift Post WWII
Tokyo is poised to become a key arms supplier as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s ruling party approves significant changes in export rules. This move comes after President Donald Trump altered his stance on security commitments to allies and amid ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, straining US weapon supplies.
The country, which has been isolated from the global arms market since WWII, spends $60 billion annually on its military and is capable of manufacturing advanced systems like submarines and fighter jets. It’s expected that Japan will formally adopt these new rules this month, marking a landmark shift in international defense policy.
US allies such as Poland’s military and the Philippine navy could be potential customers for Japanese arms. The Takaichi administration plans to make deals with the Philippines by exporting used frigates to Manila, which could later expand to include missile defense systems.
Mariusz Boguszewski, deputy chief of mission at Poland’s embassy in Japan, highlighted that both countries can boost their security through cooperation in areas like electronic warfare systems and anti-drone technology. The Philippines is also modernizing its defense amid tensions with China in the South China Sea, while last year, Poland’s WB Group signed a tentative drone deal with Japanese aircraft maker ShinMaywa.
European allies are increasingly looking to reduce dependence on US defense industry due to Trump’s unpredictability and threats to leave NATO. As Mitsubishi Electric’s senior vice president Masahiko Arai noted, offers for deals are flooding in from all directions.