2024-03-26 12:51:16
On the 26th, the government decided at a cabinet meeting to lift the ban on the export of the next generation fighter jet jointly developed with the UK and Italy from Japan to third countries, and the National Security Council (NSC) established the rules for arms exports under the “Defense Equipment Transfer”. The operational guidelines for the “Three Principles” have been revised. Following the relaxation of exports of ammunition, ballistic missiles, etc. at the end of 2023, the lifting of the ban on highly lethal fighter jets will significantly change Japan’s security policy, which has suppressed arms exports. (Atsushi Kawada)
Three principles for defense equipment transferGovernment policy that determines how defense equipment (weapons, bulletproof vests, etc.) should be exported and technology transferred overseas. In December 2023, the Kishida administration fundamentally revised its operational guidelines, which set out three principles and specific rules, and allowed some exports of lethal weapons, which had previously been prohibited in principle. A decision on exporting finished jointly developed weapons to third countries had been postponed, but in March the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito reached an agreement that would only lift the ban on next-generation fighter jets.
◆There is a risk of deviation from pacifism and aggravation of conflict
Image of the next fighter jet (from the Ministry of Defense website)
Although there is a risk that this would deviate from the pacifism of the Constitution and encourage international conflict, the decision was made through consultation between the government and the ruling party alone, without the involvement of the Diet, including opposition parties. At a press conference on the 26th, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized the significance of the review, saying, “This is a review to create a fighter aircraft that meets the performance needs of our country.”
The revised operational guidelines include measures to prevent unrestricted export expansion.
(1) Export target limited to next-generation fighter aircraft
(2) Export destinations are limited to those with which agreements have been concluded requiring use in accordance with the purposes of the United Nations Charter.
(3) Exclude countries where combat is currently taking place.
– We specified three points.
However, the target weapons can be added, leaving room for future additions. Currently, there are 15 countries that have signed the agreement, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy, but it is certain that the number of signatories will increase, including Bangladesh, which is currently negotiating. Even if no fighting is occurring at the time of export, there is a risk that exported fighter jets may be used by a country that becomes a party to a conflict.
◆ Whether or not to export is decided only by the government and ruling party.
It also stipulated that if the next generation of fighter jets were to be exported, a Cabinet decision would be made on a case-by-case basis. After consultation with the ruling parties, a review will be made as to whether exports are possible. However, decisions are still made solely by the government and ruling party, and are less strict and transparent than in the United States, where reports and approval from Congress are generally required for arms exports.
The next fighter jet is scheduled to be deployed in 2035. Discussions between the three countries regarding the aircraft design will begin in earnest soon, but it is not yet certain whether performance, such as long cruising range, which Japan values will be given priority.
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◆The fear of not being able to escape from the influence of the military industry
[Interview with Sarutasa Generation Head of the New Diplomacy Initiative]
The private security think tank, New We asked attorney Sase Saruta, representative of the Diplomacy Initiative. (Interviewer: Atsushi Kawada)
Discussions between the government and the ruling parties focused on stopping things like the “three limitations,” leaving substantive discussions behind. In addition to allowing the exercise of the right of collective self-defense and possessing the ability to attack enemy bases, the entire nation must stop and consider whether it is okay to change its restrictive arms export policy and move toward a major change in Japan’s status as a peaceful nation. should be discussed.
Lawyer Sase Saruta, representative of the private think tank “New Diplomacy Initiative” (provided by the individual)
This decision risks becoming an irreversible choice for Japanese society. As in the United States, the military and military industry may become integrated into society, making it impossible to escape from their influence.
If the presence of the military industry, including small and medium-sized enterprises, grows, the people who earn their income from it and the local governments that rely on corporate tax revenue will become dependent on it. As the military industry gradually gains more influence in politics, it is expected that calls for export promotion will increase. In the future, the UK and Italy will also say that “Japanese technology is necessary for manufacturing,” and there may be a trend to jointly produce other weapons. I want you to seriously consider the risk that once you get into gear, you will never be able to get out.
The Japanese government says it is necessary to lift the export ban in order to strengthen deterrence against China, but the arms race is endless, and it is more realistic to ease tensions through diplomacy. I hope that diplomatic efforts will be made to create a system that connects the people of both Japan and government at all levels in a sustainable manner. The deeper the relationship between the two countries, the greater the risk to their country in the event of war, and they will avoid war.
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