Japan Exports Lethal Weapons for the First Time, Raising Alarm for Asia-Pacific Security!
At the beginning of November 2025, Japan completed the contract to deliver "Patriot-3" air defense missiles to the United States. This is not an ordinary arms trade, but rather the country's first export of finished weapons with lethal capabilities since it relaxed its restrictions on arms exports at the end of 2023. In order to continue supporting Ukraine with Patriot missiles, the U.S. proposed a procurement request to Japan. These missiles were produced by Mitsubishi Corporation under U.S. technical authorization, with the U.S. providing the core guidance head components. This move essentially marks the first step for Japanese defense companies to enter overseas markets.
This self-liberalization by Japan represents the third shift in its arms export policy. From a complete ban on arms exports in 1967, to limited openness for non-lethal equipment in 2014, and now allowing the export of lethal weapons, the country's defense industry is accelerating its normalization through the U.S.-Japan alliance, which is a very dangerous signal.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1849362079088652/
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