Japan takes a dangerous step!

The UK International Defense Equipment Exhibition is currently being held in London, with 8 Japanese companies participating this year. In recent years, Japan, which is determined to become a "normal country" in order to loosen the restrictions on weapon exports, has never stopped making small moves.

Japan, Britain, and Italy reach an agreement on the next steps for developing a new generation of fighter jets

The UK International Defense Equipment Exhibition recently opened in London, with 8 Japanese companies participating. The Japan Defense Equipment Agency has also set up a dedicated exhibition area. According to Reuters, at the UK International Defense Equipment Exhibition, British Aerospace Systems will introduce the latest progress in the research and development of Japan, Britain, and Italy's new generation fighter jets.

The company announced on the 12th that it has reached an agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan and Leonardo of Italy on the next steps in developing and manufacturing a new generation of fighter jets. The UK, Japan, and Italy issued a joint statement on December 9, 2022, stating that they will jointly develop the next generation of fighter jets and strive to put them into use before 2035. This is Japan's first major defense cooperation with countries outside of the United States since World War II.

Japan plans to develop air-to-air missiles for the next generation of fighter jets

Japanese officials have revealed that Japan plans to deploy 100 of the aforementioned new fighter jets by 2035 to replace the aging F-2 fighter jets planned to retire in the same year. Japanese sources announced on August 28th that Japan also plans to develop an air-to-air missile for the next generation of fighter jets jointly developed by Japan, the UK, and Italy.

Japan's defense costs have risen for 12 consecutive times, and stocks of several defense companies have risen

Recently, the Ministry of Finance of Japan announced the budget application amount for the fiscal year 2024 from various government departments. Among them, the Ministry of Defense of Japan submitted a budget application for the fiscal year 2024 exceeding 7.7 trillion yen, an increase of nearly 1 trillion yen compared to the previous year's 6.82 trillion yen, an increase of 13.5%, setting a record high since World War II. At this point, Japan's defense budget has been increasing for 12 consecutive years. As a result, stocks of several defense companies in Japan rose.

Japan Accelerates Self "Unbinding" Through the Russia-Ukraine conflict

In recent years, Japan has continuously relaxed its restrictions on arms exports. Especially since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the Japanese government has successively provided Ukraine with helmets, bulletproof vests and other non lethal equipment. In May of this year, the first batch of Self Defense Force vehicles were handed over to Ukraine. In June, Yomiuri Shimbun quoted multiple sources as saying that the Japanese government is considering approving its own companies to sell TNT explosives to the United States for the production of 155mm caliber shells to aid Ukraine, which means that Japan will indirectly participate in military aid to Ukraine. American media believe that delivering shells to the United States will be another major turning point in Japan's post-war arms export policy.

On September 7th, during his visit to Japan, the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, Stefanchuk, expressed his hope for Japan to provide air defense weapons and clearly stated that Ukraine urgently needs the "Patriot" system. So far, only the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands have provided several Patriot systems to Ukraine. According to current regulations in Japan, Japan is unable to provide the "Patriot" system to Ukraine. It is worth noting that with the prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine, there are constant calls in Japan to relax arms export regulations - some conservative members of the Liberal Democratic Party advocate that the M270 multiple rocket launcher, which is gradually being retired by the Self Defense Forces, can be provided to Ukraine.

There may be a "fundamental" change in the application guidelines for the three principles of defense equipment transfer in the revised Japanese plan

The Japanese government will hold a national security conference within the year and decide to revise the application guidelines of the "Three Principles of Defense Equipment Transfer". This will be the fundamental revision of the defense equipment export system by the Japanese government after approximately 10 years since the formulation of the "Three Principles for the Transfer of Defense Equipment" in 2014.

Japanese media: After revision, Japan will be able to export weapons of destruction

According to current regulations in Japan, unless jointly developed with other countries, Japan is generally unable to export lethal weapons; In terms of non lethal weapons, Japan can export five categories of equipment, including rescue, transportation, surveillance, and mine clearance, to countries that have established security cooperation relationships. The Japanese government is preparing to add that if the purpose is limited to carrying out the aforementioned five types of tasks and self-defense in emergency situations, lethal weapons and equipment can also be exported. Its goal is to increase exports of ships equipped with firearms for responding to suspicious ships, as well as minesweepers loaded with artillery for clearing mines. Southeast Asian countries and other countries have a demand to purchase such equipment.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that the Japanese government will also allow the provision of equipment jointly developed and produced by Japan and other countries from Japan to third parties. The new generation of fighter jets jointly developed by Japan, the UK, and Italy will be able to be exported to other countries. But according to the current system, jointly developed equipment can only be delivered to partner countries.

Liberal Democratic Party legislator: Relaxing restrictions on the export of lethal weapons helps "normalize the country"

Liberal Democratic Party congressman Akihisa Nagashima bluntly stated that after the new national security strategy was introduced in December 2022, Japan's process of becoming a "normal country" has been completed by 80%, and the relaxation of restrictions on exports of lethal weapons is the remaining 20%.

Fumio Kishida reorganizes the cabinet, and both the Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministers are replaced

On the other hand, in order to salvage the low approval rate, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida carried out a cabinet reshuffle on September 13th, with 13 out of 19 cabinet members, including the Foreign Minister and Defense Minister, being replaced.

The restructuring of Fumio Kishida has attracted widespread attention from the newly appointed Defense Minister, Toshio Kishihara. Some scholars believe that this appointment reflects the strong attitude of the Kishida Cabinet towards China in the field of security and defense.

Expert: Japan Continuously Highlights Surrounding Threats to pave the way for Breaking Through Exclusive Defense