Lifting Arms Export Ban Will Work for Japan and Region's Security 

The chairmen of the ruling parties' research commissions on security have recommended that the export rules for defense equipment be relaxed. That would allow exports of weapons with lethal and destructive capabilities, such as fighter jets and destroyers. 

Defense equipment is currently classified as "weapons" or "non-weapons" based on whether or not it has the ability to kill or destroy. Until now, Japan has only exported non-lethal equipment.

Operational guidelines under the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology list "five categories" of export-eligible items. Those are rescue, transport, alert, surveillance, and minesweeping. 

Under the proposed changes, these would be abolished. Arms exports would be permitted in principle. However, the National Security Council would still review specific cases for permission to export.

Lifting the ban on arms exports would help maintain Japan's peace and security and protect the lives of its citizens. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi should appropriately express her support for the proposal submitted by the ruling parties. Hopefully, the operational guidelines will now be revised in line with the recommendations.

What the Proposal Calls For

The proposal calls for arms exports to be limited to countries that have signed defense equipment and technology transfer agreements with Japan, including provisions requiring the safeguarding of classified information. They also must not be currently engaged in combat. However, exceptions may be allowed if the exports are deemed necessary for Japan's national security.

There have been previous exceptions to the export of weapons developed through international collaboration or produced under foreign licenses. Meanwhile, exports of domestically produced products were restricted.

Increasing Deterrent Power

Critics argue that arms exports by their very nature violate the ideal of Japan as a peaceful nation. But that view is mistaken. If Japan hesitates regarding arms exports, that will only please anti-Japanese authoritarian countries such as China, Russia, and North Korea.

What would happen in the world if other Western democracies followed Japan's lead and refrained from arms exports? For one thing, Ukraine would lose its ability to resist and inevitably be overrun by the invader, Russia. The argument against arms exports really amounts to nothing more than an expression of morally bankrupt pseudo-pacifism.

During the Korean War, Japan produced enormous amounts of ammunition and artillery shells. It supplied them to the US military, which constituted the core of the UN forces fighting to defend South Korea. That contributed immensely to repelling the North Korean invasion. We should all remember this lesson from history. 

Allies, Like-minded and Friendly Nations

Exporting defense equipment, especially weapons, will increase the deterrent power of allied, like-minded, and friendly nations. It will also lead to improvement in the security environment surrounding Japan. 

Furthermore, since military equipment is crucial to the survival of a nation, the ties between Japan and countries that procure Japanese-made weapons should only grow stronger.

Exports will also help Japan's defense industry grow and reduce the cost of weapons procured by the Self-Defense Forces. 

In short, lifting the ban on arms exports will help lay the foundation for domestic defense production and technology. In turn, that will contribute to Japan's national interest and global peace.

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Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun