Japan security · April 2026

Japan has scrapped its ban on lethal weapons exports in a major shift from its postwar pacifist policy, opening the door for its defense industry to enter the global arms market for the first time. The new rules remove most previous limits on selling arms to other countries, marking the biggest export rule change in decades. China criticized the move, with its foreign ministry expressing grave concern and urging the international community to maintain high vigilance against what it called Tokyo's neo-militarism. Three Japan Self-Defense Force members were killed in an explosion during training in southwestern Japan. A bear attacked a police officer in northern Japan, and an unidentified body was found nearby. Police warned of growing 'zombie tobacco' smuggling in Tokyo.