Japan, long recognised for its pacifist constitution and decades of minimal engagement in global arms trade, is signalling a historic shift in defence policy. With rising geopolitical tensions and the strategic need to bolster its defence industry, the country is now laying the groundwork to become a competitive player in the global arms export market.Defense Minister Gen Nakatani recently told Nikkei Asia that he wants the cabinet to actively promote Japan’s defence exports, in what marks a sharp departure from the country’s traditionally insular military posture.&nbsp;Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has also signalled support for the change, becoming the first sitting Japanese premier to attend DSEI Japan, the country’s largest defence industry trade show.<h2>Deepening strategic ties</h2>Experts say the policy pivot is motivated less by economic incentives and more by security concerns and the desire for greater interoperability with allies, especially the United States.By exporting arms to friendly nations, Japan aims to standardise military hardware, streamline maintenance, and conduct joint training more effectively.The move also comes as international defence spending continues to rise. At the recent 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasised that American allies must shoulder more of their own security burden, citing NATO’s pledge to spend 5 per cent of GDP on defence.&nbsp;Analysts suggest that Japan’s increased focus on defence exports also reflects growing concern over regional threats, particularly from North Korea and China.<h2>Rebuilding a struggling industry</h2>Japan’s defence industrial base has long relied on limited domestic demand from the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). Unlike countries such as South Korea or China, Japan has historically placed strict restrictions on arms exports.&nbsp;A 1967 policy known as the “Three Principles on Arms Exports” nearly eliminated overseas sales. While former Prime Minister Abe began easing those rules, further reforms under Fumio Kishida in 2023 have allowed Japan to manufacture and export weapons systems, including licensed products like Patriot missiles, which are now being sent to the US.Yet, the domestic defence industry is still catching up. Over 100 companies have exited the defence sector in the last two decades due to low demand and high dependency on US imports such as F-35 fighters and SPY-7 radar systems.&nbsp;<h2>Global ambitions and domestic challenges</h2>As of 2024, Japan’s arms exports remain modest—just 21 million TIV (trend indicator values), or 0.1 per cent of global arms exports, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). By contrast, South Korea exported 936 million TIV, while China shipped 1.13 billion TIV worth of weapons.CNBC reported that investor David Roche, of Quantum Strategy, believes Japan has the potential to become a key player. “Demand will exceed supply for a decade,” he said, noting that continued dependence on US arms could prove costly if American foreign policy becomes more transactional.Japan also faces demographic headwinds that could hinder its ability to scale manufacturing, and export regulations remain relatively strict.&nbsp;Japan has recently promoted homegrown assets like fighter jets and frigates in international forums and is working to upgrade defence cooperation with the EU, according to Nikkei Asia.&nbsp;While still early days, the country’s evolving stance signals a strategic reorientation, one that may redefine Japan’s role in regional and global security for decades to come.

Experts say the policy pivot is motivated less by economic incentives and more by security concerns and the desire for greater interoperability with allies, especially the United States.

Japan, long recognised for its pacifist constitution and decades of minimal engagement in global arms trade, is signalling a historic shift in defence policy. With rising geopolitical tensions and the strategic need to bolster its defence industry, the country is now laying the groundwork to become a competitive player in the global arms export market. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani recently told Nikkei Asia that he wants the cabinet to actively promote Japan’s defence exports, in what marks a sharp departure from the country’s traditionally insular military posture. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has also signalled support for the change, becoming the first sitting Japanese premier to attend DSEI Japan, the country’s largest defence industry trade show. Deepening strategic ties Experts say the policy pivot is motivated less by economic incentives and more by security concerns and the desire for greater interoperability with allies, especially the United States. By exporting arms to friendly nations, Japan aims to standardise military hardware, streamline maintenance, and conduct joint training more effectively. The move also comes as international defence spending continues to rise. At the recent 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasised that American allies must shoulder more of their own security burden, citing NATO’s pledge to spend 5 per cent of GDP on defence. Analysts suggest that Japan’s increased focus on defence exports also reflects growing concern over regional threats, particularly from North Korea and China. Rebuilding a struggling industry Japan’s defence industrial base has long relied on limited domestic demand from the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). Unlike countries such as South Korea or China, Japan has historically placed strict restrictions on arms exports. A 1967 policy known as the “Three Principles on Arms Exports” nearly eliminated overseas sales. While former Prime Minister Abe began easing those rules, further reforms under Fumio Kishida in 2023 have allowed Japan to manufacture and export weapons systems, including licensed products like Patriot missiles, which are now being sent to the US. Yet, the domestic defence industry is still catching up. Over 100 companies have exited the defence sector in the last two decades due to low demand and high dependency on US imports such as F-35 fighters and SPY-7 radar systems. Global ambitions and domestic challenges As of 2024, Japan’s arms exports remain modest—just 21 million TIV (trend indicator values), or 0.1 per cent of global arms exports, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). By contrast, South Korea exported 936 million TIV, while China shipped 1.13 billion TIV worth of weapons. CNBC reported that investor David Roche, of Quantum Strategy, believes Japan has the potential to become a key player. “Demand will exceed supply for a decade,” he said, noting that continued dependence on US arms could prove costly if American foreign policy becomes more transactional. Japan also faces demographic headwinds that could hinder its ability to scale manufacturing, and export regulations remain relatively strict. Japan has recently promoted homegrown assets like fighter jets and frigates in international forums and is working to upgrade defence cooperation with the EU, according to Nikkei Asia. While still early days, the country’s evolving stance signals a strategic reorientation, one that may redefine Japan’s role in regional and global security for decades to come.

Experts say that Japan's policy pivot is motivated less by economic incentives and more by security concerns and the desire for greater interoperability with allies, especially the United States.

Japan eyes global arms market in strategic shift from pacifist roots

The Indian defense industry has been steadily expanding over the past decade, the Indian government has been actively promoting defense exports which AIDS self-reliance and also boosts the economic growth and now with a 23-fold increase India's defense exports are at an all-time high in just a span of nine years India's defense exports have reached an all-time high worth in nearly 1900 million dollars in 2022 and 2023 surging from a mere 82 million dollars in 2013 and 2014. The remarkable increase reflects India's progress in the global defense manufacturing sector with exports reaching more than 85 countries.

Global demands for Indian radars, simulators and armoured vehicles

China on Tuesday said it will take retaliatory measures in response to the United States' decision to start eliminating Hong Kong's special status under US law. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian did not specify which measures Beijing would take.

China on Tuesday said it will take retaliatory measures in response to the United States' decision to start eliminating Hong Kong's special status under US law. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian did not specify which measures Beijing would take. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday barred arms exports to Hong Kong and as China moved ahead with imposing a new national security law for Hong Kong that many fear Beijing and the Chinese Communist Party will use to clamp down on dissent in the former British territory. Pompeo said Hong Kong will soon require licenses for the sale of items to Hong Kong that have both civilian and military uses. Trump administration has warned for weeks that it would take action to end special US trade and commercial preferences Hong Kong had enjoyed since reverting to Chinese rule in 1997. Also read: Hong Kong warns US to stop interfering; calls withdrawing special US status double-edged sword Among those perks was the ability for Hong Kong to import US defence equipment that China is not allowed to. Hong Kong was also able to import dual-use American items without getting licenses required for the same sales to mainland China. Today, the United States is ending exports of @StateDeptPM controlled U.S. origin defense equipment and sensitive @CommerceGov controlled dual-use technologies to Hong Kong. If Beijing now treats Hong Kong as “One Country, One System,” so must we. — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) June 29, 2020 × "The United States is forced to take this action to protect US National security," Pompeo said in a statement. "We can no longer distinguish between the export of controlled items to Hong Kong or to mainland China. We cannot risk these items falling into the hands of the People's Liberation Army, whose primary purpose is to uphold the dictatorship of the CCP by any means necessary." "It gives us no pleasure to take this action, which is a direct consequence of Beijing's decision to violate its own commitments under the U.N.-registered Sino-British Joint Declaration," he said. Also read: US and China take their fight over Hong Kong to United Nations "Our actions target the regime, not the Chinese people. But given Beijing now treats Hong Kong as 'One Country, One System,' so must we." The Sino-British Declaration promised that Hong Kong would retain its democracy and democratic rights for at least 50 years after 1997 under what Beijing called the "One Country, Two Systems" policy. Pompeo said the US would continue to review other preferences Hong Kong has enjoyed and "will take additional measures to reflect the reality on the ground in Hong Kong." On Friday, the State Department announced it would bar officials responsible for human rights abuses in Hong Kong from entering the United States.

China to take 'countermeasures' over US ban on military exports to Hong Kong

India wants to double defence exports over the next five years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday, as the country seeks to cut its import bill amid a funding crunch that has forced successive governments to go slow on new orders.

"For several years India has been a net importer of defence products. We have taken measures to change it since 2014," Modi said in the city of Lucknow, addressing the inaugural ceremony of India's 11th defence expo.

"Our aim is to increase exports of defence products to five billion dollars in five years," Modi said, adding India exports about 170 billion rupees ($2.4 billion) of defence products.

India's defence export ambitions are soaring as Asia's third-largest economy suffers its worst slowdown in decades with the country's economic growth dropping to 4.5 per cent in July-September quarter – its lowest quarterly growth in six years.

Between 2013 and 2017, India was the world's top arms importer, accounting for 12 per cent of total imports globally, with Russia, Israel and the United States among the top suppliers.

According to government data, India's major defence export customers include Italy, Sri Lanka, Russia and France.

The exports, primarily made by government ordnance factories and private firms such as L&amp;T, Bharat Forge and Tata group, including offshore patrol vessels, helicopters, coastal surveillance systems and spares for radar.

India's armed forces, saddled with outdated aircraft and warships, are in dire need of funds for modernisation.

However, with the government possibly set to break its own fiscal deficit target due to slowing growth, funds allocated for modernisation have been barely enough, experts have said.

Laxman Behera, research fellow at Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, said in a report released on Tuesday that India's defence resource crunch had been acute in recent years.

India's budget for modernisation of weapons, aircraft and warships announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last week stood at 906 billion rupees, out of a total allocated defence budget of 3,230.5 billion rupees.

With a meagre hike of 2.55 billion rupees over the revised estimates of last year's budget, said Laxman from IDSA called funding for the country's military "grossly under-provisioned."

US&nbsp;ambassador to India Kenneth Juster said lower offset obligations, a mandatory financial commitment locally by global firms partnering with India and less regulations can help India bring in billions of dollars in foreign investment.

India wants to double defence exports over the next five years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday, as the country seeks to cut its import bill amid a funding crunch that has forced successive governments to go slow on new orders.

India wants to double defence exports over the next five years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday, as the country seeks to cut its import bill amid a funding crunch that has forced successive governments to go slow on new orders. "For several years India has been a net importer of defence products. We have taken measures to change it since 2014," Modi said in the city of Lucknow, addressing the inaugural ceremony of India's 11th defence expo. "Our aim is to increase exports of defence products to five billion dollars in five years," Modi said, adding India exports about 170 billion rupees ($2.4 billion) of defence products. India's defence export ambitions are soaring as Asia's third-largest economy suffers its worst slowdown in decades with the country's economic growth dropping to 4.5 per cent in July-September quarter – its lowest quarterly growth in six years. Between 2013 and 2017, India was the world's top arms importer, accounting for 12 per cent of total imports globally, with Russia, Israel and the United States among the top suppliers. According to government data, India's major defence export customers include Italy, Sri Lanka, Russia and France. The exports, primarily made by government ordnance factories and private firms such as L&T, Bharat Forge and Tata group, including offshore patrol vessels, helicopters, coastal surveillance systems and spares for radar. India's armed forces, saddled with outdated aircraft and warships, are in dire need of funds for modernisation. However, with the government possibly set to break its own fiscal deficit target due to slowing growth, funds allocated for modernisation have been barely enough, experts have said. Laxman Behera, research fellow at Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, said in a report released on Tuesday that India's defence resource crunch had been acute in recent years. India's budget for modernisation of weapons, aircraft and warships announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last week stood at 906 billion rupees, out of a total allocated defence budget of 3,230.5 billion rupees. With a meagre hike of 2.55 billion rupees over the revised estimates of last year's budget, said Laxman from IDSA called funding for the country's military "grossly under-provisioned." US ambassador to India Kenneth Juster said lower offset obligations, a mandatory financial commitment locally by global firms partnering with India and less regulations can help India bring in billions of dollars in foreign investment.

India aims to double defence exports in five years amid resource crunch

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