April 22, 2026

The Takaichi government at its Cabinet meeting on April 21 revised the “Three Principles on the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology” and their implementation guidelines, and decided to abolish restrictions limiting the overseas export of domestically produced arms to “five non-lethal categories (rescue, transportation, vigilance, surveillance and minesweeping)”. This will pave the way for the export to third countries of lethal weapons and the export of those which are jointly developed and manufactured with other countries.

Later on the day, Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Tamura Tomoko issued a statement protesting against the Cabinet decision to lift the ban on lethal weapons and called for its retraction.

In the statement, Tamura criticized the Cabinet decision to abandon the national principle which bans arms exports based on Article 9 of the Constitution as this would exacerbate international conflicts. She expressed her strong protest against the outrageous decision, which she says turns Japan into a “nation fomenting international conflicts” and a “nation supporting merchants of death”, and demanded that such a decision be retracted.

Tamura noted that under the revised guidelines, the National Security Council will determine whether to approve arms exports on a case-by-case basis, and then the government will make a notification to the Diet. Pointing out that this means that sending weapons even to countries involved in conflicts will be allowed under “special circumstances”, Tamura said that it is totally unacceptable for the government to promote the sale of lethal weapons to other countries without holding Diet deliberations.

Tamura stated that under a situation where the world is witnessing lawless wars, including the U.S.-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, Japan should demonstrate its constitutional identity as a “peaceful nation” by action and not contribute to international conflicts with weapons exports. She expressed her determination by saying that the JCP will work hard to protect and utilize Article 9 of the Constitution as well as make efforts to promote people’s collaboration for a peaceful settlement of international conflicts both at home and abroad.