Japan Relaxes Post-WWII Arms Export Restrictions

Japan's defense minister rejected allegations of militarism and defended the country's expanding defense cooperation during a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore. Shinjiro Koizumi said Japan's increased defense spending and broader regional presence have been conducted transparently and with regional security in mind.

He noted that Japan does not possess nuclear weapons or strategic bombers like a country with a huge arsenal of these weapons.

Koizumi defended Japan's loosening of arms export policies, saying closer cooperation would strengthen the ability of regional countries to defend themselves. He listed ongoing and potential arms sales including frigates to Australia and potentially New Zealand, as well as radar systems and patrol vessels to the Philippines.

He did not answer a delegate's question about whether Japan will sell arms to Taiwan.

Koizumi stressed that dialogue remains key to enhancing regional security. He said he was unable to meet his Chinese counterpart at the event following a frank and fruitful discussion at a regional defense ministers' meeting in Malaysia in November. China sent a lower-level delegation to the conference instead.

“These are efforts to support each country to choose for itself, to defend itself, and to contribute to regional stability. Japan is hoping to be a reliable funder for that purpose.”

Koizumi said he remains committed to communicating with countries including China for peace and security in the region.