Japan overhauls arms export rules for global demand, lifting decades of restrictions on warship and missile sales

Warships and missiles could be cleared faster abroad

Japan has announced its biggest defense export rules overhaul in decades, scrapping long-standing restrictions on overseas arms sales. The change is designed to strengthen Japan’s defense industrial base and enable exports including warships, missiles, and other weapons. Tokyo is responding to rising global demand, with countries such as Poland and the Philippines highlighted as key potential buyers.