Gov't Agrees To Export Weaponry, But Nothing To Ukraine/Israel

Kyodo News reporting that according to its sources, the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition allies Komeito have come to an agreement on widening export licences for weaponry and ammunition. Tokyo has shifted towards expanding its military exports in an effort to both boost trade and develop security links with like-minded countries. Notably, the expansion in military exports will not take in countries where an "armed attack" has occurred, meaning that Ukraine and Israel would not be eligible to receive Japanese military equipment.

• Kyodo: "Currently, Japan can only export components of U.S.-licensed defense products to the United States and other security partners as its domestic rules ban it from shipping completed products abroad under its war-renouncing Constitution."
• The administration of PM Fumio Kishida has sought to bolster links with allies on the security front. It has committed to doubling defence spending over five years, and has joined in a joint project with the UK and Italy on producing a new generation of fighter jets.
• Kishida remains under notable pressure within the LDP due to poor approval ratings. With the current session of the National Diet set to conclude on 13 Dec, there is focus on whether the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party launches a vote of no confidence in the gov't. However, as Japan Times notes, the support of other opposition parties for the gov'ts budget on 23 Nov makes the prospect of any successful vote very unlikely.