Tokyo: Senior officials of Japan’s ruling coalition, in a television program Sunday, expressed support for an easing of the guidelines on implementing the country’s three principles on defense equipment exports.

“We need to consider (relaxing the guidelines) so that our country can make contributions to the international community and maintain the defense foundation,” said Yoshitaka Shindo, executive acting head of the Policy Research Council of the Liberal Democratic Party, which leads the coalition.

“I want working-level officials to hold thorough discussions” regarding exports of lethal equipment as well, he added.

Kazuo Kitagawa, deputy chief of Komeito, the LDP’s coalition partner, said that the guidelines need to be eased somewhat.

Still, Komeito is cautious about allowing exports of lethal equipment. Operations to remove land mines in Ukraine, which has been invaded by Russia, are very much needed, Kitagawa said, adding, “We should allow equipment to remove land mines to be sent (to Ukraine).”

The two ruling parties recently kicked off talks among working-level officials on the possible easing of the guidelines.

Opposition parties are split on the matter.

Masaharu Nakagawa, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan’s commission on the Constitution, called for careful discussions, saying in the TV program that Japan should refrain from exporting lethal equipment.

Nobuyuki Baba, leader of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), said, “Exports of defensive weapons, such as for intercepting missiles and drones, should be allowed.”

Yuichiro Tamaki, head of the Democratic Party for the People, said that the guidelines need to be “eased slightly.”

Tomoko Tamura, deputy head of the Japanese Communist Party, expressed opposition to the relaxation of the guidelines, criticizing parties in favor of an easing for attempting to leverage the crisis in Ukraine.

Taro Yamamoto, chief of Reiwa Shinsengumi, said that exporting weapons is in violation of the Constitution.

JIJI Press