Policy experts and analysts from several countries worldwide have warned that the Japanese government's controversial lifting of restrictions on lethal weapons exports and the acceleration of "re-militarization" pose significant risks to regional and global security.
The Japanese government on Tuesday officially revised "the three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" and their implementation guidelines to allow overseas sales of weapons, including those with lethal capabilities, despite waves of large-scale protests.
The revision scraps rules that limit Japan's defense equipment exports to five non-combat categories, marking a shift in defense policy for a country that has touted itself as a "peace-loving nation" under its war-renouncing Constitution since its defeat in World War II.
Given the current spate of conflicts already seen around the world, many international analysts expressed grave concerns over Japan's move.
"Japan's lifting of restrictions on lethal weapons exports is not conducive to regional and world peace and stability. I hope Japan will not become a factor creating instability and violent conflict," said former UN Under-Secretary-General Pino Arlacchi.
"Japan must maintain candid dialogue on sensitive issues within the Northeast Asian region. As a country formerly colonized by Japan, Indonesia is naturally concerned about Japan reasserting dominance over East and even Southeast Asian affairs," said Teuku Rezasyah, International Relations lecturer at Indonesia's Padjajaran University.
The scholar noted that regional countries should also increase communication with the Japanese side to address the issue.
Some scholars have urged the international community to remain highly vigilant as the current administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pushes Japan down a dangerous path toward reviving militarism, turning away from the pacifist principles it once valued and adhered to.
"It's important to realize that the pathway of militarization, and threats against China, and other East Asian nations by Japan -- this is illegal. This is a violation both of its constitution, the famous Article 9, which prohibits aggressive action and belligerency, and this violates the United Nations Charter," said Richard Black, a senior researcher at the Schiller Institute.
"I think that not just the export of weapons, but also Japan's current policy [direction] will contribute to the destabilization of the situation in the region," said Viktor Kuzminkov, a senior researcher at the Center for Japanese Studies under the Russian Academy of Science's Institute of the Far East.
"Prime Minister (Sanae) Takaichi's foreign policy objectives include abolishing the pacifist constitution, pushing Japan's transformation into a war-capable nation, and intervening in regional conflicts. I believe this is a very dangerous and very real political risk. To maintain peace and stability in East Asia, China and Republic of Korea should strengthen cooperation and take concrete, sustained, and strong joint countermeasures," said Kwon Ki-sik, president of the Korea-China City Friendship Association.
Int'l community expresses concern over Japan's lethal arms export policy
