Gov't begins discussions on easing self-imposed arms export ban
TOKYO —
The Japanese government this week began a series of meetings aimed at easing its self-imposed ban on arms exports and related technologies to allow more joint development and production of weapons with other nations.
Senior vice ministers of the foreign and defense ministries met to discuss the policy.
The new measure would enable shipments to countries with which Japan co-develops arms and stimulate the domestic defense industry by promoting joint development and production of key arms, such as next-generation fighter jets, with the U.S. and Europe. It would also cut the nation’s defense budget
However, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura told a news conference that Tokyo would continue to prohibit arms exports to nations that are state sponsors of terrorism, violate the human rights of their citizens or lack sufficient controls over arms sales.
Japan currently bans almost all weapons exports, except for special cases such as those relating to the joint development of a missile defense system with the United States.
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0
tmarie
China and Korea aren't going to be happy about this. Nor am I. We don't have the money for this crap.
4
SamuraiBlue
Money as in cost? What cost?
They are talking about exporting military equipments not importing them meaning gaining money not spending money.
0
ben4short
It's about time. Wise move, hopefully a step toward repealing the silly war-renouncing Article 9 of the Japanese constitution.
-2
johninnaha
Why don't they put their time and energy into doing things that encourage peace?
-1
tmarie
You think these meetings and 'co-developing" is free??
-2
warnerbro
Japan produces so many formidable cutting edge weapon systems that customers are sure to flock its way. Oh, wait a minute, it doesn't...
-1
philsandoz
"self-imposed ban on arms exports"??? This is simply not true. Japan can't constitutionally export weapons because the American-imposed Constitution of May 1947 says so --prior to that, the Japanese exported militarism and military technology wherever and whenever they could. Whether or not Japan should or should not nowadays have equal opportunity with the US, the UK and other warmongers to make money from the international sales of machines of murder is debatable -- but please don't propagate the idea that the Japanese government in some way or other actually made a decision not to kill foreigners.
0
SamuraiBlue
@philsandoz
There is nothing within the Japanese constitution which would ban export of military equipment. Article 9 simply states;
Nothing within it states nor can be interpreted as Japan cannot export military equipment. Simply put neither PRC nor SK wants Japan to start export since Japan would ruin their sales turf and will up the ante for better military equipment.
@ tmarie
It would be much cheaper then developing the equipment individually. Japan is the most advanced within the region some can and will compete with their US and European counterparts like the Kawasaki P1 which is at par with the American P8 Poseidon, Kawasaki C2 compared to the A400M is said to be better in various points and there is not another rival against the ShinMeiwa US2 flying boat which is already being placed under consideration by the Indian Government. There are various other weapons which many nations would certainly consider as potential candidate.
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tmarie
Being the most advanced in a region doesn't ensure sales - and will piss off the neighbours. Why bother?
0
SamuraiBlue
No but it sure makes the odds better and the neighbors are complaining regardless so why even consider?
1
kazetsukai
Did anyone consider "why now"? Why make such announcements now?
Technology has been shared by US, Japan and probably many nations under NATO and even Australia.
Put into perspective with the "warning signs" of possible military action by some Asian nation, there were three other events directly relating to this announcement that seem to "prepare" the World for possible confrontation.
China obviously sponsored the "N----- Massacre" movie getting their own population into a "military" mood and detract from their internal political and economic instability while building up its navy and military presence in SE Asia. Also probably through N. Korea, China is showing it's military presence in the Japan Sea and further North.
S. Korea all of a sudden brings up the topic of "Comfort Women" which also re-creates the "military" mood, not necessarily in Japan but in S. Korea.
Japan announced and in fact sent a "spy satellite" specifically to monitor not only N. Korea but also China.
(You might also note the reaction Al Quida (a terrorist publication) had regarding Japan and S. Korea just a few days ago. And... there are battles all over Northern Africa and the Middle East. There is also chaos and violence ... politically... even within the European Nations. Is it a matter of time before they turn into "military" battles?)
So why not openly share the issue of sharing technology?
May be not a very strong deterrent, but it does sends a message does it not?
Does it bring a "military" mood into Japan?
That is questionable at this time don't you think?
0
T_rexmaxytime
wow good points Kazetsukai!
0
stx53550
i'm with tmarie
0
stx53550
and good points made by kazetsukai
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