Various Sectors in Japan Oppose Government's Easing of Restrictions on Weapon Exports

Regarding the Japanese government's revision of the "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment" and its operational guidelines, which in principle allows the export of lethal weapons including destroyers and missiles, various parties in Japan have expressed opposition.

The Japanese newspaper "Tokyo Shimbun" published an editorial on the 22nd, pointing out that this is a significant shift in Japan's security policy and a reckless act that undermines pacifism. The government's decision to allow the export of lethal weapons is made without sufficient deliberation by the Diet and lacks public discussion, undoubtedly showing a disregard for the concept of pacifism, which is deeply concerning.

On the 21st, Japanese Communist Party Chairperson Tomoko Tamura issued a statement strongly protesting the Japanese government's complete lifting of the ban on arms exports. The statement pointed out that the Kishida administration's forced revision of the "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment" and its operational guidelines signifies a abandonment of Article 9 of the Constitution.

On the same day, Mizuho Fukushima, the leader of the Social Democratic Party of Japan, raised a protest at the Senate Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Mizuho Fukushima, Leader of the Social Democratic Party of Japan: I strongly protest against the significant shift in national policy that decides to export weapons with lethal capabilities overseas.