Industry briefing: Japan reviews export ban with view to JSF involvement

The Japanese government is considering an internal proposal to lift its long-standing ban on military exports in a move that, Jane's understands, would facilitate Japanese involvement in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme.

A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokeswoman said on 26 May that a lifting of the ban - which is enshrined in guidelines called the 'Three Principles' policy - is currently being discussed by the Council on Security and Defence Capabilities as part of its review of the National Defence Programme Guidelines.

She added that the council is expected to complete a list of recommendations by June this year, which will then be submitted to the government for approval.

The spokeswoman said: "While maintaining the basic principles of a peace-loving nation and to avoid international conflict, the Japanese government is reviewing an appropriate response to the current security environment. This review includes a consideration of the Three Principles."

FX fighter programme

The review comes shortly after US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that the Pentagon planned to end production of the Lockheed Martin F-22: an aircraft that the Japanese MoD had long sought access to as part of its next-generation FX fighter procurement programme.

A source at the MoD indicated to Jane's that the decision to review the export ban was linked directly to the unavailability of the F-22 and that attention had now turned to the JSF. "It is because of the F35. It has been suggested that without the F-22 the next best option might be the F35," said the source without elaborating.