Japanese media: The stance of the Kishida government on this matter may have changed Japan | Arms | Position
According to Kyodo News Agency, an insider revealed on the 25th that the Japanese government explained to the ruling party that although Japan has strict regulations on weapon exports, exporting non combat vehicles and ships equipped with lethal weapons does not violate the law. According to the report, this explanation shows that in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Kenxiong Kishida government may have changed its position on the three principles of arms export.
According to Kyodo News Agency, currently, the Japanese government still maintains its position on this issue, which is to prohibit the export of weapons under the three principles of overseas transfer of defense equipment and technology, except for joint development or production projects with other countries. But the source said that the government explained at the May meeting to the Liberal Democratic Party and the ruling coalition's Komeito Party that lethal defense equipment may be used for export because there is no clear legal ban.
![Japanese media: The stance of the Kishida government on this matter may have changed Japan | Arms | Position](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/67c0abfa59200c945857cc18aa740a2d.jpg)
The source also said that the government's examples of such products include Japanese Self Defense Force reconnaissance vehicles equipped with automatic guns and minesweepers. Sources quoted the Japanese government as saying that Japan can export equipment to countries with security cooperation, as long as these equipment are used for rescue, transportation, surveillance, or mine clearance.
According to reports, Japanese Defense Minister Yasuhiro Hamada said that since the implementation guidelines of the Three Principles do not mention this issue, the Japanese government will decide whether to transfer lethal weapons "based on specific circumstances".
![Japanese media: The stance of the Kishida government on this matter may have changed Japan | Arms | Position](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/261bbcd9e739ad65a6bfe1fea56e2329.jpg)