TOKYO - Spooked by a worsening security environment, pacifist Japan wants to export lethal weapons directly to countries, including those in South-east Asia, in what will mark a paradigm shift in defence policy, The Straits Times has learnt.
This comes amid appeals for Japan to do more to protect the rulesbased order, including by Southeast Asian leaders at a commemorative summit on Dec 17 to mark 50 years of Japan-Asean relations.
A Japanese official involved in national security policymaking discussions told ST on Dec 28 that Japan is eyeing the provision of these weapons either through direct arms sales, or via the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework.
Lethal weapons refer to arms that have the ability to kill, such as missiles and fighter jets. This is as opposed to non-lethal equipment that may include bulletproof vests, patrol ships, surveillance systems, or mine detectors.
The framework was launched in April as the military complement to the longstanding civilian Official Development Assistance programme.
Japan hopes to market and sell a next-generation stealth fighter jet, which it is jointly developing with Britain and Italy, to countries, including Asean member states, the official said.
It is also looking at expanding the conditions for which defence equipment can be transferred.
These are currently restricted to activities in five categories: rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) government wants to abolish these categories and assess needs on a case-by-case basis.
But for a start, it was decided on Dec 22 that lethal arms can be transferred upon request and, if deemed necessary, for duties or self-protection, such as 20mm machine guns on minesweepers or transport vessels.
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin December 30, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin December 30, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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