The , Cabinet , on Tuesday approved a plan to allow exports of subsequent- era fighter jets, which , Japan , will simultaneously build with , Britain , and , Italy, to next- party countries. At a gathering of the nine ministers of the National Security Council and the state on the same day, the government even revised the rules for implementing the Three Guidelines on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology.
As combined development is becoming a popular trend for acquiring advanced security products, the government has paved the way for , Japan , to explain the fighter jet development program with partners , Britain , and , Italy , on an equal footing.
The decision represents a turning point in Japan’s safety strategy, which has essentially restricted exports of finished destructive products to specific nations, such as mutual development partners.
The , Cabinet ‘s , approval of second- party exports may apply only to the following- era fighter jets. Likewise, the government adopted strict procedures that require , Cabinet , acceptance for each individual situation when the planes are really to be exported to other countries. A pre-screening procedure may also involve the ruling functions.
In terms of trade places, the revised instructions forbid the trade of fighter jets only to nations that have signed global agreements requiring their use in ways that are in line with the goals and principles of the UN Charter. Now,  , Japan , has signed for contracts with 15 countries including , the United States,  , Britain,  , Australia , and some East Asian countries. The government forbade nations that engage in continuous armed conflicts from being considered possible export destinations.
” With this determination,  , Japan , is able to maintain a position that allows us to make the same input as , Britain , and , Italy. We may aim to create fighter jets that are suitable for the country’s safety atmosphere”, Defense Minister , Minoru Kihara , said at a press conference after the , Cabinet , meeting Tuesday morning, emphasizing the significance of the decision to allow the exports of the next- generation fighter jets.
The next- generation fighter jet is positioned as the successor to the , Air Self- Defense Force ‘s , F- 2 fighter jet. It is anticipated to have excellent stealth skills and be able to use drones and other combat equipment.  , Japan,  , Britain , and , Italy , plan to officially start negotiations on the structure of the development program and the allocation of tasks, aiming to deploy the fighter jets in fiscal 2035.
The ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party, and its junior coalition partner Komeito reached an agreement that would allow the exports of the upcoming fighter jets to third-party countries.
The five areas were not reviewed this time because the current implementation guidelines permit transfers of defense equipment in five categories, such as rescue and transportation. Opinions remain divided between the LDP, which calls for abolishing those classifications, and Komeito, which insists on reviewing them.
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( c ) 2024 the Asia News Network
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