Japan's move to export jets raises concern

Tokyo's revision of arms policy called out as a 'historic outrage', experts say

A revision to end the de facto ban on the overseas exports of deadly weapons manufactured in Japan signifies the country's abandonment of its consistent postwar peace policy, experts said, calling the move a "historic outrage" and "a major cause for concern".

The Japanese government greenlit revised guidelines for its stringent defense equipment transfer regulations on Tuesday, enabling the export of next-generation fighter jets developed in collaboration with the United Kingdom and Italy through the Global Combat Air Programme.

The revised guidelines outline that Japan is authorized to export these fighter jets, slated for deployment by 2035, to a third country. This marks a notable departure from Japan's historically tight constraints on arms exports.