Japan to Halt Weapon Component Supplies if Used for Aggression

Tokyo - The Japanese government will take steps, including suspending the supply of weapon components, if Japanese weapons exported to other countries are used for aggression against a third country, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on Tuesday. “If it is confirmed that the recipient country is using equipment provided by Japan, for example, to carry out aggression against another country; then Japan will firmly demand that country to rectify the situation, including stopping the use of defence equipment,” Koizumi told the Japanese parliament. Such efforts could include the suspension of spare parts supplies needed for the maintenance and repair of weapons, Koizumi explained. Tokyo will also monitor storage conditions, security measures, and procedures in case of loss. “The government will require recipient countries to use transferred defence equipment and technology in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and to obtain Japan’s approval in advance for uses outside the designated purpose or transfers to third countries,” he explained. In April 2026, the Japanese government lifted restrictions on arms exports, which effectively opened the possibility of supplying any weapons, including lethal ones, to third countries. However, those weapons can only be supplied to countries that have defence equipment and technology transfer agreements with Japan. Supplies to countries in conflict are generally considered unlikely, but exceptions may be allowed in special cases.