By Xu Yizhen

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), reached an agreement on December 15 to revise the implementation guidelines for the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, removing restrictions on five categories of weapons exports. The coalition plans to submit the relevant proposal to the Cabinet in February next year. This dangerous move has triggered widespread concern and criticism within Japan. Such actions constitute a serious departure from the pacifist constitution, gravely undermine the postwar international order, and pose a significant threat to peace and stability in the region and beyond.

The status of Japan as a defeated country in WWII was long ago conclusively established. A series of instruments with legal effect under international law, including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, all contain explicit legal provisions prohibiting Japan from rearmament. After WWII, Japan adopted the Three Principles on Arms Exports, strictly prohibiting the export of weapons. However, right-wing forces in Japan have never abandoned the pursuit of turning Japan into a major political and military power. They have repeatedly used various pretexts to gradually loosen, and ultimately eviscerate, restrictions on arms exports.

A review of the evolution of Japan's policies reveals a clearly discernible, step-by-step trajectory of incremental loosening. In recent years, Japan has gone even further, repeatedly revising the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology and their implementation guidelines. These changes have not only relaxed restrictions on the joint development of weapons with foreign partners, but have also allowed lethal, finished weapons produced in Japan to be directly exported to countries that grant Japan production licenses, and, under certain conditions, to as many as 15 countries worldwide. As a result, the door has now been fully opened for Japan’s large-scale exports of lethal weapons to the global market.

Not long ago, Japan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations sent a letter to the UN, falsely claiming that Japan's fundamental defense policy is the posture of passive defense strategy, which is exclusively defense-oriented. However, such claims collapse in the face of facts. A series of dangerous moves by Japan in recent years has thoroughly exposed the hypocrisy of its so-called passive defense narrative. This year, Japan completed the re-export of Patriot air defense missiles to the US, a landmark event marking its first export of lethal weapons since WWII. It has also fully launched the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet with the UK and Italy, with plans to allow the aircraft to be exported to third countries. Besides, Japan continues to push forward the export of maritime lethal weapons, such as frigates, to Australia...These actions are repeatedly destabilizing the international security landscape, undermining regional military balances, and have already triggered heightened vigilance across the international community.

Arms export policy is a key barometer of a country's strategic orientation. Japan's repeated relaxation of restrictions on weapons exports, while ostensibly aimed at revitalizing its domestic defense industry, carries a deeper intention to break free from the constraints of the pacifist constitution and pursue the so-called national normalization. A number of Japanese media outlets have published articles expressing sharp criticism and concern. They argue that abolishing the five categories of restrictions on arms exports would fundamentally alter Japan's identity as a peace-oriented nation and must be firmly opposed. Government-driven arms exports will only fuel international conflicts and further deteriorate Japan's surrounding security environment. If lethal weapons flow into conflict zones, Japan risks becoming nothing more than a "merchant of death"...

History offers a stark warning. The wars of aggression launched by Japanese militarism once inflicted profound suffering on the peoples of Asia. The Japanese government must deeply reflect on its history of aggression, faithfully uphold the pacifist constitution, and remain firmly committed to the path of peaceful development. It should immediately cease seeking any pretexts for military expansion and enhanced armaments. Instead, it should build trust with its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions. The international community should remain highly vigilant toward Japan's current move to substantially loosen restrictions on arms exports and work together to safeguard the hard-won environment of peace and development.