Japanese citizens staged a protest rally on Thursday evening in front of the prime minister’s office in Tokyo, voicing strong opposition to the government’s plan to scrap restrictions on the export of lethal weapons. The demonstration came as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government considers revising implementation guidelines for the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology in the near future.
Protesters held placards reading “Oppose lifting the five-category restriction,” “No to arms exports,” and “Japan must not turn into a merchant of death,” although chanting slogans such as “No repeating past mistakes” and “We reject war.” Participants expressed deep concern and dissatisfaction over the administration’s move to loosen constraints on lethal weapons exports.
Protester Taniguchi told Xinhua she was deeply worried about the government’s attempt to allow weapons exports without restrictions. She said she does not want Japan to become a “merchant of death” and hopes that the spirit of the Constitution will be upheld.
Another participant argued that easing restrictions on lethal weapons exports would clearly violate Japan’s Constitution, adding that the current administration appears to have no intention of adhering to constitutional principles.
Japan’s current defense equipment export guidelines limit defense equipment exports to five noncombat categories, namely rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping. However, the government is considering removing these restrictions, in principle allowing exports of lethal equipment such as fighter jets and destroyers, including to countries engaged in armed conflict under “special circumstances.”
The proposed shift has sparked widespread concern and criticism across Japan, with opponents warning that it could mark a significant departure from the country’s long-standing pacifist stance.
Japan has eased its arms export rules, breaking with eight decades of pacifist foreign policy. The announcement by Tokyo comes as Washington’s allies ramp up their military spending, as trust in US President Donald Trump declines, with him wavering on security commitments to allies and the wars in Iran and Ukraine.
Japan’s announcement similarly comes just months after it announced a record-high latest defence budget. Late last year, Japan’s government approved a record defence budget of more than 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for 2026, reflecting a push to strengthen military and coastal defences amid rising global tensions.
The new budget forms part of a broader 122.3 trillion yen ($784 billion) national budget for the fiscal year beginning in April 2026. The increase also marks the fourth year of Japan’s five-year effort to increase defence spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
Under the new budget, more than 970 billion yen ($6.2 billion) is earmarked to enhance Japan’s “standoff” missile capabilities. This includes 177 billion yen ($1.13 billion) for the purchase of domestically produced and upgraded Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles, which have an estimated range of about 1,000km (620 miles).
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told local media last November that one of the main reasons for increasing the country’s defence budget was that the country might have to become militarily involved, if China were to invade Taiwan, the self-governing island territory claimed by Beijing.
These comments soured relations between Tokyo and Beijing. China also began expanding its military drills close to Japan and in the Asia Pacific, stirring Tokyo to advance its defence budget and capabilities.
Expanding arms sales, besides a higher defence budget, this week Tokyo announced it would ease restrictions on its arms sales, after decades of isolation from the global arms markets since World War II. This means that defence companies in the country will be able to supply arms to other nations.
According to a Reuters news agency report on Monday, Japan’s key defence contractors, Toshiba and Mitsubishi Electric, said they are hiring staff and adding capacity to capitalise on demand for arms. Countries such as the Philippines and Poland are expected to become customers of Japanese arms.
In recent years, Japan and the Philippines have deepened military ties, with Tokyo agreeing to supply patrol boats and radio gear to Manila. Two Japanese officials told Reuters that one of the first deals Takaichi’s government will likely approve are exports of used frigates to the Philippines, which is locked in maritime confrontation with Beijing in the South China Sea.
Japan and the European Union will hold their first defense industry dialogue in Brussels on Friday, a private-sector-led initiative that aims to strengthen the industry’s foundations at a time when the security environment is becoming increasingly severe.
Both sides also plan to issue a joint statement on expanding cooperation in the industry at a governmental level, according to sources. The dialogue aims to bolster the interoperability of defense equipment between Japan and the European Union, as well as indicate their willingness to take steps to boost supply chain resilience.
At least 20 Japanese companies including Subaru Corp. And NEC Corp., and about 20 European companies, such as Swedish defense giant Saab AB, are expected to take part in the dialogue. Japanese and EU aviation- and defense-related industry organizations will handle the administration of the dialogue.
Many of the Japanese participants are newly established companies possessing dual-use technologies used for cutting-edge drones and other equipment, which are of great interest to the EU side. The Japanese companies expect that the dialogue could become a stepping stone to full-scale entry into the EU market.
Japan and the European Union decided to establish the defense industry dialogue at a July 2025 summit. Attendees at the inaugural meeting on Friday will include Toshiro Ino, state minister of economy, trade and industry; and Andrius Kubilius, EU commissioner for defense and space.
According to sources well-informed about Japan-EU ties, after the dialogue Ino and Kubilius will hold a meeting at which they plan to issue a joint statement that will describe strengthening the defense industrial base as “a shared priority” and enhancing security through Japan-EU cooperation as “essential.” The statement also is expected to call for pushing ahead with various forms of defense industry cooperation.
Momentum for greater cooperation between Japan and the European Union has been growing as they both grapple with issues including shoring up defense equipment supply chains, rising research and development costs and a reliance on the United States. The dialogue will be held in Brussels, where the EU’s headquarters are located.
What specific changes is the Japanese government considering regarding arms exports?
The government is considering removing restrictions that currently limit defense equipment exports to five noncombat categories, which would in principle allow exports of lethal equipment such as fighter jets and destroyers, including to countries engaged in armed conflict under “special circumstances.”
How much has Japan allocated for its defence budget for 2026, and what portion is designated for standoff missile capabilities?
Japan has approved a record defence budget of more than 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for 2026, with more than 970 billion yen ($6.2 billion) earmarked to enhance its “standoff” missile capabilities.
Which Japanese defence contractors are preparing to increase production capacity in anticipation of expanded arms sales?
Toshiba and Mitsubishi Electric are hiring staff and adding capacity to capitalise on demand for arms, according to a Reuters report.
What is the purpose of the first Japan-EU defense industry dialogue scheduled for Brussels?
The dialogue aims to bolster the interoperability of defense equipment between Japan and the European Union and indicate their willingness to take steps to boost supply chain resilience.