April 21, 2026

The Japanese government on Tuesday officially revised the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology and their implementation guidelines, allowing overseas sales of weapons, including those with lethal capabilities, according to media reports. 

The policy shift has sparked opposition in Japan, with some Japanese netizens criticizing it as a departure from the country's postwar exclusively defense-oriented policy and warning that it could turn Japan into a "merchant of death." A Chinese expert also warned that the move reflects an alarming trend toward further remilitarization in Japan, which should raise concern in the international community, especially among Asian countries.

At a cabinet meeting and a National Security Council (NSC) meeting on Tuesday, the Japanese government revised the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, as well as their implementation guidelines, which govern rules for defense equipment exports. The revision abolishes the "five categories" that had limited exports of finished products to non-combat purposes, and in principle permits the export of weapons with lethal capability, according to Kyodo News.

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