Japanese Media: Opposition Calls for Strengthening Weapons Export Review Amid Government's Plan to Relax Export Restrictions

[Global Times Comprehensive Report] On the 13th, Japan's Kyodo News reported that in response to the Japanese government's plan to relax weapon export restrictions, representatives from three opposition parties have submitted a proposal to Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroshi Kajiyama, urging the government to adhere to the pacifist principles stipulated in the constitution and to establish a stricter and more transparent weapon export review mechanism.

According to reports, the proposal, jointly submitted by the "Center Reform Union," the Constitutional Democratic Party, and the Komeito Party's political affairs investigation committee chair, opposes the plan by the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to allow the export of weapon products beyond the "five categories" of non-lethal weapons in principle. It calls for the scope of weapon exports to be modified to "limited equipment transfers such as drone countermeasures and air defense systems only."

The proposal also details that the export of highly lethal weapons should be approved through a cabinet resolution; export projects exceeding a certain amount should be reported to and reviewed by the National Diet in advance; the impact of export activities on regional military balance should be fully assessed, and restrictions on the transfer of weapons to recipient countries should be strengthened; for countries "identified as being in armed conflict," clear export standards need to be established to ensure compliance with the pacifist principles of the constitution and international law.

Additionally, according to the Japan Economic News, the Takaichi government plans to complete consultations within the ruling party and finalize whether to relax weapon export restrictions after a decision by the National Security Council. This move may not only provoke opposition from the opposition parties but could also lead to public dissatisfaction. Hiroshi Shiratori, a professor at Hosei University, stated that Japan's national image will be called into question, as it may not only become a "arms dealer" but also a "country that exports war." 

The Tokyo Bar Association previously issued an official statement, pointing out that relaxing the "Three Principles on Arms Exports" essentially undermines Japan's international credibility, violates the spirit of Article 9 of Japan's "Peace Constitution," and that the process itself disregards democratic decision-making procedures, violating constitutional principles. Senior lawyer Kazuko Ito stated that Japan's economy is currently at a critical crossroads, and if it becomes dependent on the military-industrial complex and even war like the United States, it will be difficult to escape the predicament. (Qinggui)