Japan Lifts Ban on Lethal Weapons Exports

Japan's Cabinet approved a policy shift on Tuesday, lifting longstanding restrictions on exporting lethal weapons and marking a significant departure from the country's postwar pacifist stance. The decision, endorsed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration, removes barriers that had limited arms sales since World War II, allowing Tokyo to expand its defense industry and strengthen ties with international partners.

The new guideline, proposed by the ruling coalition, classifies defense equipment into two main categories: lethal systems, such as warships, tanks, missiles, fighter jets and destroyers; and nonlethal items, including radars and protective gear. Exports of lethal weapons will now be evaluated by the National Security Council, comprising the prime minister and key ministers, and restricted to nations with existing defense equipment and technology transfer agreements with Japan. This clears the final hurdles for such sales, which were previously confined to five nonlethal areas: rescue operations, transport, alert systems, surveillance and minesweeping.

The change reflects Japan's accelerating military buildup amid escalating regional security threats,...