Japan’s controversial decision to export advanced fighter jets

The Cabinet of the Japanese government on Tuesday approved a plan to sell the next generation of fighter jets that the country is developing in cooperation with Britain and Italy.

This report added: It is expected that Japan’s controversial decision to allow international arms sales will help to ensure Japan’s role in the joint fighter jet project and is in line with strengthening Japan’s arms industry and increasing the country’s role in global security.

Japan also approved revisions to its arms technology and equipment transfer guidelines to allow the sale of lethal weapons to countries other than its partners.

NBC News continued to analyze this news and wrote: Japan has long restricted arms exports under its pacifist laws, however, in the midst of increasing regional and global tensions, it has deemed it necessary to take steps to remove these regulations.

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The decision to sell the jets allows Japan to export the lethal weapons it jointly produces with other countries for the first time.

Japan is working with Italy and Britain to develop an advanced fighter jet to replace its aging US fleet.

The country, which was already working on a domestic plan called F-X, agreed in December 2022 to merge its efforts with a British-Italian program called Tempest for deployment in 2035. This joint project, known as the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), is based in the United Kingdom.

Japan hopes that the new fighter jets will provide the country with advanced capabilities in light of growing tensions in the region and give it a significant technological advantage over regional rivals China and Russia.

Because of its history as an aggressor during World War II, as well as the devastation caused by that war, Japan has passed a law that limits the military to self-defense.

Source: IRNA