September 7, 2023

The ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties on September 6 agreed on a policy to enable Japan to export next-generation fighters which will be developed jointly with the U.K. and Italy.

This agreement was made at a meeting of the two parties’ working-group discussing ways to allow Japan’s arms exports to expand.

In the meeting on the day, the working group noted that Eurofighter combat aircraft developed jointly by the U.K., Italy, Germany, and Spain have been transferred to third countries. The working group hopes that like Eurofighters, Japan can export its trinationally-developed fighters, and agreed to revise Japan’s arms export rules by the end of the year in order to achieve this.

Later on the day, Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Yamazoe Taku criticized this agreement in his speech delivered at a rally held to oppose the ruling block’s attempt to lift the ban on Japan’s arms exports.

Yamazoe pointed out that Japan, based on the pacifist Article 9 of the Constitution, has adopted a stance to ban arms exports and to refrain from supporting and participating in international conflicts. He said, “It is unacceptable for the LDP and the Komei Party to reverse the nation’s long-held stance behind closed doors. The two parties are advocating the selling of lethal weapons as a way to achieve Japan’s economic growth. However, this only harms national interests.” He appealed for the need to strengthen public opposition to the ruling block’s move.

Past related article:
> Citizens hold protest against ruling coalition’s hasty move to end Japan’s ban on arms exports [August 24, 2023]