Is Daisaku Ikeda’s death behind this? Komeito Party official says cautiously about expanding arms exports: “It’s far from the ideal of a peaceful nation”: Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web

A review to enable the export of internationally jointly developed products from Japan to third countries, which is one of the topics discussed in working-level talks between the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito aimed at relaxing export rules for defense equipment, is expected to be concluded within the year. There is a possibility that it will be postponed. The government and the Liberal Democratic Party had planned to review the rules with the next generation of fighter aircraft jointly developed with Britain and Italy in mind, but the New Komeito Party put the brakes on the discussion, saying that lifting the ban on the export of deadly weapons is far from the idea of ​​a peaceful nation. I put it on. (Atsushi Kawada, Nobuko Ohno)

◆“We should be cautious about exporting finished products to third countries.”

“Exporting finished products developed through international joint development to a third country goes far beyond the existing rules. We need to be cautious.” Komeito Secretary-General Keiichi Ishii emphasized this to reporters on the 1st. Since the next fighter jet is expected to be completed in 2035, the party’s policy research chairman, Yosuke Takagi, said in November, “We still have 10 years left, so we should discuss this carefully,” and there is a growing trend towards relaxing the rules. Objected to working-level consultations.

Working-level consultations were held on the same day. To date, the two countries have agreed to allow the export of “licensed products,” finished weapons manufactured in Japan by paying patent fees to foreign companies, to the licensing country.

◆Having lost mental support, “I can’t make major policy decisions”

The reason behind Komeito’s hardening of its stance is said to be the death last month of Daisaku Ikeda, honorary president of the Soka Gakkai, its parent organization. Mr. Ikeda, the party’s founder, laid the foundation for the “Party of Peace” and had tremendous leadership in academic societies. A source close to the conference said, “While the academic society has lost its spiritual support and is in turmoil, no major policy decisions can be made.”

Under current rules, Japan can export weapons technology and parts to countries with which it jointly develops and produces, but cannot directly export finished products to third countries. Co-developing countries can export to third countries, but Japan’s prior consent is required.

◆“Export” remains on hold while joint development progresses

In a summary of issues compiled by a working-level consultation in July, the majority opinion was that direct exports from Japan to third countries should be made possible. The government also stated during the August talks that allowing (direct exports) is “desirable.” This is because the company intends to reduce production costs by expanding sales channels for the next fighter jet.

Japan, the UK, and Italy are expected to reach an agreement as early as this month to establish a coordinating body to direct and manage joint development. British government officials met with members of the Liberal Democratic Party on the 1st and expressed concerns about Komeito’s reluctance to lift the ban on exports to third countries. It is also possible that joint development will move forward while the review of rules for relocation from Japan to third countries is shelved.