TOKYO — Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet approved new guidelines scrapping Japan's postwar ban on lethal weapons exports, clearing the way for future sales of next-generation fighter jets, missiles, combat drones and destroyers. The revised policy removes limits that had confined arms exports to five categories — rescue, transport, alert, surveillance and minesweeping — and marks a departure from restrictions rooted in Japan's post-World War II pacifist constitution.

"The new policy will ensure safety for Japan and further contribute to peace and stability in the region and the international society as the security environment around our country rapidly changes," Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said. He added, "The government will strategically promote defense equipment transfer to create a security environment that is desirable for Japan and to build up the industrial base that can support fighting resilience."

Under the new rules, arms exports will be limited to 17 countries that have signed defense equipment and technology transfer agreements with Japan. Transfers require approval by Japan's National Security Council and are subject to government monitoring after delivery. In principle, Japan will not export lethal weapons to countries at war.

The change follows incremental steps taken over the past decade. In 2014, Japan began exporting non-lethal military supplies. In 2023, it eased controls to allow sales of U.S.-designed Patriot missiles back to the United States to compensate for munitions sent to Ukraine, and in December 2023 approved sales of licensed-manufactured lethal weapons and components back to licensors. That earlier revision was intended to pave the way for joint development of a sixth-generation fighter jet with Britain and Italy. Before the guideline change, Japan had exported flak jackets, gas masks and civilian-use vehicles to Ukraine and intelligence radar to the Philippines.

Japan signed a deal last week to deliver three Japanese-designed upgraded Mogami-class frigates from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to the Australian navy and to jointly build eight additional frigates in Australia, in an agreement valued at $6.5 billion. "The relaxation of these controls is going to be really important to developing the seamless defense industrial base," Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said.

"Several other countries, including the Philippines and Indonesia, have also expressed interest in Japanese defense equipment," Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said in a television interview. New Zealand has shown interest in Japanese frigates, and countries from Southeast Asia and Europe have inquired about Japan's defense equipment exports. China criticized the decision, while Australia welcomed it.

Japan's defense industry is one of 17 strategic growth areas under the Takaichi government, drawing interest from major companies and startups, particularly in dual-use goods and drones. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries began deploying long-range missiles in southern Japan in March and plans staffing increases in its missile and shipbuilding sectors. Japan aims to develop a defense system using a network of drones for surveillance and combat to defend its southwestern islands, and has added combat roles in multinational exercises, including a joint drill with the United States and the Philippines in which it fired a T88 missile. A group of 30 NATO representatives visited Japan last week to discuss deepening ties, including a stop at a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corp.