Reference News Network, December 4 report: Japan's "Mainichi Shimbun" published an editorial on December 3 titled "Expand Defense Equipment Exports - Absolutely Not Allow Step-by-Step Erosion of Restrictions," as translated below:
If the brake mechanism is lost, the opening for expanding arms exports may be further widened. This is a major issue concerning whether Japan continues to follow the path of a peaceful nation.
The government of Asahi Takahashi has begun considering revising the "Three Principles of Transfer of Defense Equipment" guidelines, with a focus on abolishing the restrictions that limit the use of exported equipment to relief, transportation, security, surveillance, and mine clearance. This means that channels for exporting combat weapons, including destroyers, have been opened.
The government aims to enhance regional deterrence by exporting weapons to countries that have established cooperative relations in the field of security, while also strengthening Japan's defense industry.
The "Three Principles of Transfer of Defense Equipment" only allow the export of defense equipment when it is beneficial to Japan's security and peace efforts, and the aforementioned restrictions were put in place to prevent uncontrolled arms exports. Once these restrictions are abolished, it effectively cancels the brake mechanism.
Additionally, the possibility of weapons from Japan flowing into third countries from the destination of export is also worrying. Once they enter the hands of belligerent parties, Japan will inevitably face the situation of indirectly participating in hostilities. Although a mechanism is currently in place that prohibits the recipient country from transferring weapons to third countries without Japan's prior consent, it still requires thorough verification to ensure that this mechanism remains reliable.
It must be noted that blindly promoting arms exports could disrupt the regional military balance and escalate tensions.
So far, the Japanese government has made continuous moves on the issue of relaxing the export of lethal weapons, taking one step at a time. For example, regarding the next-generation fighter jet jointly developed by Japan, the UK, and Italy, the newly established rules already allow Japan to directly export the fighter jet to a third country. Additionally, under the name of joint development and production, Japan's destroyers will also be able to be exported to Australia.
There has long been a call within the Liberal Democratic Party to abolish the measures restricting arms exports. The Komeito Party, which has always taken a cautious attitude toward arms exports, has played the role of a brake mechanism. Now, however, the Komeito Party has left the coalition government, and the LDP has formed a ruling alliance with the Japan Innovation Party, which supports the abolition of arms export restrictions, potentially leading to a policy shift without sufficient discussion.
If the constraints on export restrictions are lost, the risk of Japanese weapons being used in combat will rise sharply. Once the image of Japan as a "mercenaries" becomes deeply rooted, it will inevitably damage the concept of pacifism.
Weapons exports are an important issue in a country's security policy. Although revising the "Three Principles of Transfer of Defense Equipment" guidelines only requires approval from the government's National Security Council, it still cannot be separated from broad consensus within Japanese society. We must conduct in-depth discussions on this issue at the parliamentary level. (Translated by Liu Lin)
Original source: toutiao.com/article/7579937983646777906/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author themselves.