Photo credit © Reuters
by Sakura Murakami
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan said on Friday it was preparing to send Patriot air defense missiles to the United States after revising its arms export guidelines earlier in the day, the first significant revision of these restrictions in nine years.
Japan has long banned exports of lethal weapons, but the country is now seeking to boost its defense sector as geopolitical tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific region.
“This decision is important for strengthening the alliance between Japan and the United States. It will contribute not only to the security of Japan, but also to the peace and stability of the entire Indo-Pacific region. ” said Yoshimasa Hayashi, general secretary of the Cabinet, who coordinates executive action.
Japan still refrains from exporting weapons to countries at war, but the missiles could indirectly benefit Ukraine in its war against Russia, because Japanese exports give the United States more room to maneuver.
A Japanese government official said the missiles would be used to resupply the U.S. military’s arsenal to ensure the security of the Indo-Pacific region.
Until now, Japan could only export components and was not allowed to deliver assembled weapons.
The revision of these rules which took place on Friday allows Tokyo to export ready-made weapons to countries where the patent holders of these products are established. Any re-export to third countries would require authorization from Tokyo.
Japan produces Patriot missiles under license from American companies Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
Tokyo is also considering exporting 155mm artillery shells, manufactured under license by BAE Systems, to the United Kingdom, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.
The Japanese government official said exports are considered when the country where the license holder is based makes a formal request, adding that the United States has so far been the only country to do so.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel called the move “historic” and a “significant example of Japan’s commitment to deterrence” in a message posted on X.
“Japan is undertaking a major modernization of its defense,” he added.
Japan’s ruling party has been considering changes to export controls for several months because they could prevent the export of next-generation fighter jets that are being developed jointly with Britain and Italy.
(Reporting by Sakura Murakami, with the help of John Geddie in Tokyo; French version Corentin Chappron, editing by Blandine Hénault)
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