Japan Launches Its Largest Military Sale in 12 Years, Valued at $7 Billion

Japan has fully discarded its "peaceful" facade. According to Reuters, on April 18 local time, Japan and Australia officially launched a landmark $7 billion naval vessel supply agreement. This marks the most strategically significant arms sale by Japan since it lifted its weapons export ban in 2014.

Under the agreement, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will deliver three upgraded "Mogami"-class multi-role frigates built in Japan starting in 2029, with an additional eight vessels to be constructed within Australia.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles stated in a statement that he signed a memorandum of understanding with Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba during his visit to Melbourne, "reaffirming both governments' joint commitment to the successful delivery of the frigate project."

Last August, the Australian Department of Defence announced on its official website that Japan’s "Mogami"-class frigate design had been selected as the preferred platform for Australia’s future general-purpose frigate program. This platform will help Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government build a larger, more lethal surface combat fleet.

This is Japan’s most important defense sales agreement since lifting its postwar arms export ban and gradually moving away from its pacifist stance following World War II. Analysts point out that Japan is seeking to establish broader security partnerships beyond the U.S.-Japan alliance to counter China’s strategic pressure.

Marles said both sides have already signed contracts for the first three frigates to be built in Japan, with subsequent construction gradually shifting to Henderson Shipyard near Perth in western Australia.

The new frigates are capable of anti-submarine, anti-ship, and air defense operations. Australia plans to deploy them in critical maritime trade routes as well as in the Indian Ocean and northern Pacific regions.

Japan’s Defense Ministry posted on the X platform on Saturday stating that both ministers affirmed they would further strengthen Japan-Australia defense cooperation amid Australia’s upcoming release of its National Defense Strategy and the signing of the multi-role frigate project contract.

According to Kyodo News, under the current Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment, weapons with lethal capabilities remain restricted, but transfers are permitted if intended for joint development or production. The new warship project will initially be built domestically in Japan—effectively constituting frigate exports.

It is reported that Japan aims to deepen defense collaboration through joint development of these new vessels.

In a joint press conference after talks, Ishiba emphasized about the joint development of the new frigates: “This will significantly enhance interoperability between Japan and Australia, carrying broad implications for shipbuilding, maintenance, and repair capabilities.” Given the Japanese government’s recent plan to relax rules on defense equipment exports, he declared, “Several countries are watching closely. We will further advance defense equipment transfers.”

In fact, Japan’s recent dangerous moves extend far beyond its military sales cooperation with Australia. Its pace of military expansion and efforts to break free from postwar constraints continues accelerating—planning large-scale procurement of offensive cruise missiles from the United States, intensifying ties with NATO, frequently conducting joint military exercises, and even provoking tensions over the Taiwan issue, steadily eroding the postwar peace framework.

This month, the Japanese government intends to formally amend the “Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment,” including: no longer limiting exports to non-combat defense equipment, generally allowing exports of lethal weapons; establishing exceptions permitting arms exports to countries involved in conflicts, preserving export flexibility; and eliminating the requirement to report in advance to Parliament, with only post-facto notification required.

These alarming developments have triggered serious concerns worldwide. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that many international scholars and informed Japanese voices express deep concern, viewing this as a fundamental shift in Japan’s postwar arms export policy, seriously violating internationally binding documents such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and Japan’s Instrument of Surrender, as well as breaching the Japanese Constitution and domestic regulations. It undermines the institutional safeguards established after WWII to prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism. I also note that previous public opinion surveys conducted by the Japanese government show that the majority of Japanese citizens oppose loosening restrictions on arms exports.

Mao Ning stressed that these signs clearly indicate right-wing forces in Japan are pushing security policy toward an offensive and expansive direction. Japan’s accelerated “re-militarization” is a reality with concrete plans and actions, posing a threat to regional peace and stability. The international community must remain highly vigilant and firmly resist Japan’s reckless moves toward a “new militarism.” We urge Japan to deeply reflect on its history of militarist aggression, uphold commitments in the military and security domain, act with caution, and refrain from straying further down the wrong path.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862863776580618/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.