Opinion Opposing the Expansion of Arms Exports
January 23, 2025
Japan Federation of Bar Associations
The Japan Federation of Bar Associations (the "JFBA") compiled its "Opinion Opposing the Expansion of Arms Exports" dated January 23, 2025, and submitted it on January 24, 2025 to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Defense.
Summary of Opinion
The principle of a de facto prohibition of exporting arms based on the Three Principles on Arms Exports has served as a basis of government policy for a long time under the constitutional lasting peace. However, meanwhile, the Three Principles on Arms Exports have been undermined by the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology developed instead of the Three Principles on Arms Exports.
In addition, the Japanese Government made a major amendment to the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and its Implementation Guidelines on December 22, 2023. Furthermore, the Implementation Guidelines were amended again on March 26, 2024. In these amendments, the objects and the recipients to transfer defense equipment, including lethal equipment such as missiles or fighter aircrafts, were significantly expanded. Moreover, the government is considering to continue expanding transfers of defense equipment, including lethal ones.
Such an expansion of transferring defense equipment not only encourages international disputes but also violates the principles prohibiting arms export that Japan has adopted as a peace-loving nation and the constitutional renunciation of lasting peace.
Therefore, the JFBA stands against the expansion of transferring defense equipment through amendments to the Three Principles on Arms Exports and its Implementation Guidelines, and expresses deep concern about further expansion of it in the future.