Japan's Major Shift in April Security Policy Exposes Its Ambitions to Supply Weapons to Neighboring Countries of China!
Last night, CCTV News reported that the Kōshi Asahi government has finalized a plan to revise the "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment" within this month, pushing for a fundamental shift in postwar security policy. This revision is extensive: it eliminates export restrictions on five categories of non-combat equipment, generally permits exports of lethal weapons, introduces exceptions allowing arms sales to countries involved in conflicts, and compresses parliamentary approval authority into mere post-facto notification—effectively nullifying oversight. Japan will transition from "principle prohibition of arms exports" to "principle allowance of arms exports." Kōshi plans to visit Vietnam and Australia to promote weapons sales, while the Defense Minister will travel to the Philippines to negotiate the export of patrol vessels. China has expressed serious concern. Even within Japan, voices have warned that the country risks becoming a "dealer in death," as regional security risks escalate dramatically!
[Clever] Comment briefly: Japan’s sweeping revision of its arms export rules is a dangerous step-by-step erosion of the postwar peace framework. From the 1967 comprehensive ban on arms exports, to Abe’s administration easing restrictions in 2014 to allow conditional exports, to today’s complete liberalization of lethal weapon sales, Japan’s commitment to peace has long been hollowed out. Bypassing parliamentary review and centralizing control over military sales clearly signals intentions to break free from constraints and pursue military expansion. Rushing to sell weapons to Vietnam and the Philippines is merely an attempt to exploit issues related to the East China Sea and South China Sea to stir regional tensions, seeking to rally neighboring countries to encircle China. Historically, Japan’s militarism triggered aggression through military buildup; now it is repeating the same mistakes. On the surface, selling weapons appears to be cooperation, but in reality, it destabilizes peace in the Asia-Pacific region. Such actions that cross red lines will inevitably trigger heightened vigilance and firm opposition from regional nations—history’s tragedies must not be allowed to repeat themselves!
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861850038942796/
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