Japan approves plan to sell fighter jets to other nations in latest break from pacifist principles

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A plan to sell future next-generation fighter jets, developed by Japan in collaboration with Britain and Italy, to other countries was approved by Japan’s Cabinet, marking a departure from the country’s postwar pacifist principles. The decision, viewed as contentious, is expected to assist in securing Japan’s involvement in the joint fighter jet project and aims to bolster the Japanese arms industry while enhancing its role in global security    #Japan #FighterJets #PacifistPrinciples #ArmsSales #GlobalSecurity #DefenceIndustry #PacifistPolicy #MilitaryTechnology #InternationalRelations #SecurityShift #ForeignPolicy #ArmsExport #RegionalTensions #NationalSecurity #DefensePartnerships #PolicyChange #Pacifism #FighterJetSales #JapanDefense #GlobalPeace                 ~HT.178~PR.152~ED.194~GR.124~

Transcript

00:00 A plan to sell future next-generation fighter jets developed by Japan in collaboration with

00:05 Britain and Italy to other countries was approved by Japan's cabinet, marking a departure from

00:09 the country's post-war pacifist principles.

00:12 The decision, viewed as contentious, is expected to assist in securing Japan's involvement

00:17 in the joint fighter jet project and aims to bolster the Japanese arms industry while

00:22 enhancing its role in global security.

00:24 In this revision, Japan's arms equipment and technology transfer guidelines were endorsed

00:28 by the cabinet, permitting co-produced lethal weapons to be sold to countries beyond the

00:33 partnership.

00:34 Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated these changes are deemed necessary

00:39 considering Japan's security environment, although he emphasized that Japan's pacifist

00:44 principles remain unchanged.

00:46 Hayashi explained that adherence to a strict approval process for jet sales will be maintained

00:51 to ensure a fighter aircraft meets necessary performance standards and to avoid compromising

00:56 Japan's defense.

00:57 The decision enabled Japan to export lethal weapons it co-produces to other nations for

01:02 the first time, reflecting a shift from its long-withstanding restrictions on arms exports

01:07 under its pacifist constitution.

01:09 The joint effort, based in Britain, is anticipated to provide Japan with advanced capabilities

01:13 amid escalating regional tensions, particularly from neighboring China and Russia.

01:18 Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government has faced criticism for committing to the

01:22 fighter jet project without sufficient public explanation or seeking approval for the major

01:26 policy shift.

01:27 To address concerns, the government has restricted exports of co-developed lethal weapons to

01:32 the jet and has pledged that no sales will be made for use in active wars.

01:36 Furthermore, the revised guideline presently applies exclusively to the jet, with cabinet

01:41 approval mandated for any potential exports, reported U.S. media outlet.

01:45 The government has assured that purchasers will be limited to the 15 countries with which

01:49 Japan has signed defense partnership and equipment transfer agreements.

01:53 Despite divided public opinion on the plan, the cabinet justified this decision, citing

01:57 that the arms export ban on finished products would impede efforts to develop the new jet

02:02 and confine Japan to a supporting role in the project.

02:06 Prime Minister Kishida sought cabinet approval before signing the GCAP agreement in February,

02:11 which was delayed due to resistance from the junior coalition partner, the Buddhist-backed

02:15 Komito Party.

02:16 This policy change coincides with Kishida's upcoming state visit to Washington in April,

02:21 where he is anticipated to underscore Japan's willingness to assume a greater role in military

02:25 and defense industry partnerships.

02:31 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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