Japan Approves Major Shift in Defense Export Policy, Signs Frigate Deal with Australia

In a landmark move, Japan has approved revised defense export guidelines, lifting a long-standing ban on international sales of lethal weapons, while simultaneously signing a contract with Australia for the construction of upgraded Mogami-class frigates.

Japan's Policy Change

The Japanese Cabinet approved new defense export guidelines on Tuesday, removing a long-standing ban on exporting lethal weapons. The change permits the export of Japanese-developed warships, combat drones, fighter jets, and missiles.

Conditions and Eligible Countries

Exports are initially limited to 17 countries that have signed defense equipment and technology transfer agreements with Japan. This list may be expanded if additional countries enter into such agreements.

According to the guidelines, Japan will not, in principle, export lethal weapons to countries that are at war, though exemptions under "special circumstances" are permitted if Japan's national security needs are considered.

All export deals require approval from Japan's National Security Council, and the Japanese government stated it will monitor how exported weapons are managed.

Statements from Officials

Prime Minister Sanae Takaishi said: "Given that the security environment is becoming increasingly challenging, I believe that no country can now safeguard its own peace and security on its own." She added that Japan's "core principles" and "history" as a pacifist nation remain unchanged.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated the policy would "ensure safety for Japan and further contribute to the peace and stability in the region and the international society."

China's foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China is "deeply concerned" and will "remain highly vigilant and resolutely resist any reckless actions by Japan towards a new form of militarism."

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro welcomed the change, stating it would provide access to defense "articles of the highest quality" that would "strengthen domestic resilience" and "contribute to regional stability through deterrence."

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles welcomed the change, calling it "really important to developing the seamless defense industrial base."

US Ambassador to Japan George Glass called the export rule change a "historic step" to strengthen collective defense.

Germany's envoy to Tokyo Petra Sigmund said it created opportunities for deeper cooperation "with the aim of enhancing global stability."

Australia-Japan Frigate Contract

On April 18, 2026, the Australian government announced it has signed contracts with the Japanese government and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for three upgraded Mogami-class general purpose frigates. The contract signing was marked by a "Mogami Memorandum" signed by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Japanese Minister of Defense Koizumi Shinjirō.

The ceremony took place aboard the Japanese Mogami-class frigate JS Kumano in Melbourne.

Production and Delivery

• The first three frigates will be built in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
• The first ship is scheduled for delivery in December 2029, with entry into service expected in 2030.
• Production of the subsequent eight frigates is planned to be constructed at the Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia, pending its consolidation, by Austal.

The government has not disclosed the exact value of the contracts for the first three ships, citing commercial confidentiality. The 2024 estimate for the total 11-frigate program was approximately $10 billion. An updated defense strategy cited a figure of $20 billion, which the government states includes costs for redeveloping the Henderson shipyard and related infrastructure.

Ship Specifications

The upgraded Mogami-class frigate has a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles. It is equipped with a 32-cell Vertical Launch System and will carry surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, and Mk 54 lightweight torpedoes. The Australian variant will use the ESSM Blk 2 air defence missile and the NSM anti-ship missile. It will be crewed by 92 personnel and can operate the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter.

Statements

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles stated the goal is to create a "seamless" defence industrial base with Japan, citing strong strategic alignment and trust. He stated the Mogami frigate was selected because Mitsubishi Heavy Industries offered a ship with superior capabilities needed by Australia.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy described this as the fastest peacetime acquisition for the Royal Australian Navy.

Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi Shinjirō described the program as a major step to elevate the defence relationship, stating the focus is on increasing deterrence capabilities to avoid conflict.

Broader Context

• The policy change represents a shift from Japan's post-World War II pacifist policy, which had prohibited most arms exports. Previous rules, introduced in 1967 and enacted in 1976, had limited Japanese military exports to non-lethal arms.
• In December 2023, Japan approved a change to allow sales of lethal weapons and components manufactured under foreign licenses back to the licensor countries.
• Japan is participating in a joint fighter jet development project with Britain and Italy.
• Japan's defense industry is one of 17 strategic areas for growth identified by the government.
• The acquisition follows a 2024 independent analysis that recommended more than doubling the Navy's surface combatant fleet.
• The selected design is an evolved variant of the Mogami-class, known in Japan as 06FFM or New FFM. This variant has twice the missile armament and a revised radar suite compared to the original Mogami-class.
• Several countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, and India, have expressed interest in Japanese defense equipment.
• Japan is considering defense supply deals with the Philippines.
• Chinese warships transited a Japanese island chain shortly before Tokyo's rule change. Japan's destroyer passed through the Taiwan Strait earlier, which Beijing called a deliberate provocation.