Japan considers lethal weapon exports by revising strict rules

Still considering by that time, war is already over. Japan always late for party.

Present Japan's far-right LDP government destroys postwar pacifism of Japan one after another, tries to benefit Japanese military industries who continue political contribution to LDP.

LDP never respects "strict rules". Who make "strict rules" is also LDP government.

They never think what "Made in Japan" kill someone at somewhere means.

@sakurasuki

Spot on. They always look to see which way the wind blows before making any decisions. By the time they decide to sell a weapon or two, the dominant (radical, Putin loving) wing of the Republican party will have moved to stifle support for democracy in Ukraine, and the same J-politicians who okayed weapon sales will be scurrying to backtrack. Pathetic.

KNEW they would make the excuse "it's for our defense". How long before we find out they'll sell them to North Korea if they bid high enough?

Hideomi KuzeToday  04:45 pm JST

They never think what "Made in Japan" kill someone at somewhere means.

"Made in Japan" has been killing for quite some time. US "Smart Bombs" introduced in the 1990 Operation Desert Storm used Nikon nose cameras. In the mid 2000s Japan secretly provided the US with small arms ammunition to ease a shortage. And I suppose you never noticed that Toyota pickups are the terrorist group's vehicle of choice.

Money talks

Helmuts and other protective gear are important, too. It is something the Kremlin is unable or unwilling to provide.

In other words Japan is ready to join the War Industrial Complex for some extra $$$ cash.

And I suppose you never noticed that Toyota pickups are the terrorist group's vehicle of choice.

Yes, but why, now these pickups were custom built for this requirement..

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2015/1007/Where-did-ISIS-get-all-those-Toyotas-US-Treasury-investigates

Doing so, could put Japan at risk of being considered adversarial to those laying claim to the Northern territories . . . ; furthermore, any such exports would be considered gratis as the recipient's economy is in no position to pay for such weaponry . . .

There is no need to consider this because Japanese weapons aren't competitive enough and don't sell overseas.

https://www.airdatanews.com/australia-to-order-new-c-130js-discarding-kc-390-a400m-and-c-2/

Australia to order new C-130Js, discarding KC-390, A400M and C-2

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) confirmed on Tuesday that the C-130J-30 turboprop is chosen to replace the current fleet of 12 Hercules aircraft received in 1999.

Also competing in the AIR 7404 Project were the Airbus A400M, the Kawasaki C-2 and the Embraer KC-390, but the Australian Ministry of Defense claimed that “the new C-130J aircraft represents the only option that meets all of Australia’s capability requirements and assures Defence’s medium air mobility capability without introducing substantial cost, schedule and capability risk”.

Don't do it Japan..

@Samit, the Australian's were probably pre-disposed to buy another tranche of Hercules because they are an existing C-130 operator with an established maintenance and logistics chain for the Hercules. Buying any other aircraft type would have required establishing a new supply chain, maintenance facilities and training. Australia also already has C-17s so they didn't really need something with the size, range and speed of the Kawasaki C-2. They needed a smaller transport they could land on dirt strips in the Outback or the highlands of Papua New Guinea where I have seen them operate on occasion. Note that Australia also passed up the larger C-400M.

"Made in Japan" has been killing for quite some time. US "Smart Bombs" introduced in the 1990 Oper'ation Desert Storm used Nikon nose cameras. 

Some early 1980s guided bombs used TV guidance but by the mid 1980s that was being replaced by imaging infrared seekers. TV guidance could only be used in daytime and good weather, very much limiting when attacks with these weapons could be conducted. Not too many of these were expended in combat as a result, and when they were it was for high value military targets. A far larger proportion of "smart bombs" use semi active laser guidance. Today that is routinely supplanted by a JDAM tail kit with GPS and INS guidance.

The new Mogami class frigates are a world class ship. It is one of the most innovative combat ships being built today. I suspect many navies would be interested in buying them. I also think Japan's submarines would be a popular item among some navies in Asia and possibly South America where Argentina, Peru and Chile need to recapitalize their submarine fleets with new vessels. Canada perhaps too.

There is no need to consider this because Japanese weapons aren't competitive

During my time in the US Navy we considered a JMSDF submarine the next best thing to a US Navy nuclear sub. They are that good, as are their crews.

@Desert Tortoise

I also think Japan's submarines would be a popular item among some navies in Asia

Australia and India already said no to Soryu. There are no potential buyers of Soryu/Taigei.

During my time in the US Navy we considered a JMSDF submarine the next best thing to a US Navy nuclear sub. 

Times have changed.

Australia and India already said no to Soryu. There are no potential buyers of Soryu/Taigei.

Japan chose not to participate in India's "Project 751". The requirements for industrial participation on the part of Japan was a non starter and the sorry state of India's defense procurement process with its years long delays was another deterrent to participation. India's miserable cyber security is another reason, and if you remember much classified information on India's eventual choice, the French Scorpiene class was released in a CD stolen apparently by an Indian national.

Japan was out marketed by India on the Australian submarine contract. The French never lived up to the terms and the contract was cancelled in favor of building nuclear subs with US and UK assistance. The criticisms I have read regarding the Japanese boats being too cramps for the Aussies does not speak well of the Australian sailor. I have been aboard subs from WWII through the Permit class of SSNs. A US Navy Fleet Boat from WWII is spacious and clean inside. Remarkably so in fact. A Russian Foxtrot class is not terribly cramped either, but the Permit class boat, despite having three decks inside, was insanely cramped. There aren't enough racks for the whole crew so everyone hot racks. The sleeping quarters are so cramped that many crew members use a sleeping bag and inflatable mattress tucked away in a corner of their workspace rather than sleep in a rack. Because the mess decks are tiny crew members eat in shifts and are allotted only ten minutes to eat.

In my experience with the ships and subs of many navies, US and Japanese ships are the most austere and cramped. JMSDF and USN/USCG ships are also very much alike and differ in the same ways from ships of other navies where you see wood paneling, false overheads and small staterooms for even the lowest ranks where on larger US ships it is not unusual to have 40 to over 100 sleeping in the same space in racks stacked three high. They are combat ships. Crew comforts are a minor consideration.

Japan, does not have any defenses worth exporting. This is actually quite distressing to those of us, who live here...

They clearly demonstrated the inability to shoot down North Korean Missiles flying over their territory. Most of what they currently have is American sourced, so perhaps what they're suggesting is simply a resale of these upon the 2nd hand market ?

@Desert Tortoise - just curious does having Chinese Mainland Family connections makes you a potential Spy to the U.S. National Security ? How did you deal with that ?