Japan lifts self-imposed ban on arms sales

It might have been an April Fool, but Japan has lifted its self-imposed ban on arms exports, which has existed in legal form since the '60s. Exceptions have been made in the past for technology transfer, but the Cabinet's approval of this new legislation removes the 1967 blanket ban.

Japan's new Type 10 MBT - built to be lightweight

OH-1 "Ninja" reconnaissance helicopter - the eyes of Japan's attack helicopter fleet, meant to tank-hunt in its mountainous terrain

This is potentially unpopular with the Japanese populace and is already stirring ire with the region, but a myriad of positive effects spring to mind.

The most obvious one is profits if Japanese defence firms can sell their arms abroad. A rosy picture could potentially be drawn; The Type 96 APC (also known as the Maneuver Combat Vehicle) may prove popular with nations interested in building up a fast wheeled armoured vehicle fleet. The "Hand Arrow" man-portable SAM could compete against the Igla and the Stinger. We may even see the US-2 maritime patrol aircraft, one of the few military flying boats, exported. This may be soon - India has previously shown interest in them.

Type 96 APC

Type-91 "Hand Arrow" MANPAD

US-2 flying boat

More urbanely, ammunition and other military kit such as webbing could be sold abroad, netting a steady flow of income. Surplus to requirements kit such as older tanks could be sold as well.

However, Japanese firms will need to manage their lack of experience, adapting items made for JSDF requirements for overseas users, and other factors; this is ultimately a very commercial issue. Then again, the Japanese name for quality may well rub off. The nation may do well to learn from others such as Brazil's Embraer.

It may be worth establishing a bureau under the Ministry of Defence or Trade to aid firms in this; but these rapidly get into bed with firms if not properly policed.

Secondly, it is arguable whether military sales increase influence, but they certainly can turn out to be another tool for the Japanese foreign service.

Most interestingly, this opening up of the industry will allow firms and the nation to more readily fund new projects. The controversial Mitsubishi F-2 fighter program, aimed at producing an improved and affordable F-16 type fighter, ended up being an expensive but disappointing aircraft. (Sadly, a quarter of the fleet was lost in the 2011 tsunami). Similarly, an attempt to export the Type 10 MBT's remarkable engine to Turkey foundered on the now repealed laws. It has been argued that the cost borne by the Japanese taxpayer would fall if firms were able to develop products jointly with overseas partners and sell beyond the JSDF.

Quietly, Japan has been pursuing a next-generation stealth fighter, the AD-X "Shinshin" (心神), which may have been a gambit to pressure the US to export the F-22 to the JASDF. Its immense potential cost - much of the Japanese defence budget for very few airframes - would seem to rule out its adoption by the Japanese military, and reduce it to no more than a pawn the stealth sales wars. However, if Japanese stealth and fighter technology can be sold abroad as a successor (or less likely, as a competitor) to the F-35 fighter, it may be worth watching this plane.

ATD-X, possibly a mockup

Perhaps we may know it as the F-3 someday.