List of 17 Partner Countries, Including Indonesia, Eligible to Purchase Defence Equipment from Japan

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TOKYO – The Japanese government revised defence equipment export restrictions on Tuesday (21/4/2026) to allow the sale of weapons abroad, according to its chief spokesperson. Japan is seeking to enhance security cooperation with partner countries.

The changes, approved by the Cabinet and the National Security Council, mark a significant shift in defence policy for a country that has claimed to be a “peace-loving nation” under its Constitution, which renounces war since its defeat in World War II.

This comes as the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a staunch supporter of national security, aims to strengthen Japan’s defence industry. The step is being taken amid what the government describes as the most severe security environment in Japan since the end of World War II.

The revision to the “three principles on the transfer of defence equipment and technology” and their implementation guidelines removes rules limiting exports to only five non-combat categories – rescue, transportation, warning, surveillance, and mine sweeping, quoted from The Japan Times.