The Japanese government is taking steps to allow the export of a stealth fighter jet currently under development with the United Kingdom and Italy. In December, Japan, the U.K. and Italy launched a joint partnership to develop the Mitsubishi F-X fighter jet as part of the Global Combat Air Program. Easing export rules on the F-X fighter jet marks the latest revision in Japan’s materiel transfer rules since it revamped its security policy in December 2022. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that restricting exports to countries outside the partnership would hinder the country’s aircraft modernization plan. Companies involved in the program have expressed intentions to export the jets to other countries to defray development and production costs.
After months of negotiations, Komeito agreed to the change with stringent conditions, specifically that all fighter jet exports will require Cabinet approval. Access will only be open to countries with existing defense deals with Japan and sales to countries under existing armed conflict are barred. Japan’s Cabinet is expected to approve the revisions later this month, in time for partners to release the initial designs of the F-X jet. Major opposition groups remain critical of relaxing export rules on the fighter jet, indicating concerns about Japan’s pacifist position and the country transitioning into an arms merchant.
