Japan approves controversial plan to sell fighter jets in latest forfeit of pacifist principles

The contentious decision to allow international arm sales is part of a move to build up Japan’s defence industry and bolster its global security role

Japan has long restricted arms exports under its pacifist constitution, but has rapidly taken steps to deregulate amid rising regional tensions

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A concept model of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) fighter jet is displayed at a Japanese defence expo in Chiba, east of Tokyo, in March last year. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:01pm, 26 Mar 2024Updated: 3:07pm, 26 Mar 2024

Japan’s cabinet on Tuesday approved a plan to sell future next-generation fighter jets that it is developing with Britain and Italy to other countries, in the latest move away from the country’s post-war pacifist principles.

The contentious decision to allow international arms sales is expected to help secure Japan’s role in the joint fighter-jet project and part of a move to build up the Japanese arms industry and bolster its role in global security.

The cabinet also endorsed a revision to Japan’s arms equipment and technology transfer guidelines to allow co-produced lethal weapons to be sold to countries other than the partners.

Eurofighter Typhoon jets fly over a Nato air base in Albania. Japan is working with Italy and the UK to develop an advanced jet to replace the Eurofighter Typhoons and its own ageing fleet of American-designed F-2s. Photo: Reuters

Japan has long restricted arms exports under the country’s pacifist constitution, but has rapidly taken steps to deregulate amid rising regional and global tensions, especially from nearby China.

The decision on jets will allow Japan to export lethal weapons it co-produces to other countries for the first time.

Japan is working with Italy and the UK to develop an advanced fighter jet to replace its ageing fleet of American-designed F-2 fighters, and the Eurofighter Typhoons used by the UK and Italian militaries.

Japan, which was previously working on a home-grown design to be called the F-X, agreed in December 2022 to merge its effort with a British-Italian programme called the Tempest for deployment in 2035. The joint project, known as the Global Combat Air Programme or GCAP, is based in the UK.