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"Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara on Tuesday announced a partial revision of the Three Principles on the Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology, along with the implementation of new guidelines at the National Security Council Nine Ministers' Meeting in Tokyo. "These decisions are intended to ensure Japan's security and further contribute to the peace and stability of the region and the international community amid the accelerating changes in the security environment surrounding our country," Kihara said. "No country can protect its own peace and security alone anymore. To safeguard the peace of our country and the region, it is important to further promote the transfer of defence equipment and strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of allied and like-minded nations," he continued. The Cabinet Secretary also noted the importance of strengthening the domestic defence production and technological base that supports the sustainability of the SDF (Self-Defence Forces) through the promotion of such transfers. "It is now permissible to transfer defence equipment, including all finished products. [...] Regarding the transfer of weapons under the Self-Defense Forces Law, we will conduct even stricter examinations on a case-by-case basis," Kihara added. The revisions scrapped earlier limits on defence exports that restricted them to five non-combat categories: rescue, transport, warning, surveillance, and minesweeping. Under the new rules, equipment will be classified simply as 'weapons' or 'non-weapons' based on lethal capability. While arms exports to conflict zones remain largely banned, exceptions may be allowed in 'special circumstances' tied to national security. The move under Sanae Takaichi's government has sparked strong public backlash, with critics warning it could escalate regional tensions and fuel an arms race."
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