Topic analysis

Japan looks to woo allies with new weapons deals

Japan has scrapped its 1967 ban on exporting lethal weapons, enabling sales to 17 defense partner nations amid escalating security tensions with China and North Korea. Led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration, the policy shift aims to bolster allied defense capabilities, support domestic defense industry growth, and advance efforts to revise Japan's pacifist Article 9 constitution; it has already secured a $6.5 billion frigate deal with Australia, is poised to benefit the Philippines and Indonesia, and drawn criticism from China over perceived deviations from its peace-oriented stance.