February 28, 2026

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi came under fire on Friday after dismissing opposition demands for prior Diet oversight of arms exports, insisting that the issue falls within the government's administrative authority, a stance that drew sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil groups.

During a House of Representatives Budget Committee session on Friday, Takaichi said it would be appropriate for the government to take primary responsibility for approving arms exports after deliberation by the National Security Council, dismissing proposals from opposition lawmakers for a mechanism requiring advance approval by the Diet.

The questioning followed recent moves by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to further ease Japan's arms export restrictions. On Wednesday, the LDP's Research Commission on Security approved proposed revisions to the operational guidelines of the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, Japan's framework governing arms exports.

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https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-02-28/Japanese-PM-under-fire-for-rejecting-Diet-oversight-on-arms-exports-1L7DDC8smPK/p.html