Japan’s New Defense Export Policy: Will Industry Seize the Day?

(Christopher B. Johnstone and Gregg Rubinstein – Center for Strategic & International Studies) On April 21, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced long-anticipated changes to policy governing defense exports, effectively eliminating restrictions on sales—including lethal weapons—to Japan’s closest security partners. For Japan watchers, this is a historic policy change, adding to the list of post–World War II constraints on defense that the country has steadily cast aside over the last decade. Japan is now positioned to develop a more “normal” defense industrial profile, in which arms sales, technology transfers, and coproduction arrangements play a visible role in Japan’s foreign and security policy. However, whether the Japanese defense industry will take the opportunity to become a global player in defense remains in question. Industry actions will depend on further steps by the Japanese government to encourage sales, other transfers, and joint programs. – Japan’s New Defense Export Policy: Will Industry Seize the Day?