Japan has announced its readiness to send Patriot air defense missiles to the United States. This decision follows the country's revision of its arms export guidelines for the first time in nine years. Japan, historically committed to a pacifist stance on exporting lethal weaponry, is aiming to bolster its defense industry amid escalating security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region.

The move holds significant importance for strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi. He highlighted that this action would not only enhance Japan's security but also contribute to peace and stability across the wider Indo-Pacific area.

While Japan's updated export controls still prevent the shipment of arms to countries engaged in conflicts, this revision could indirectly support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. This decision allows the United States increased capacity to offer military assistance to Kyiv.

Unnamed Japanese government officials, due to the sensitivity of the matter, clarified that the Patriot missiles would replenish the U.S. military's arsenal, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the Indo-Pacific region.

Previously, Japan could only export arm components and was prohibited from delivering fully assembled products. The revised guidelines now permit Japan to export complete products to nations where the patent holders are based. However, re-exporting to other countries would necessitate approval from Tokyo.

Japan manufactures Patriot missiles under licenses from U.S. companies Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. Moreover, there are considerations to export 155mm artillery shells, produced under BAE Systems' license, to the United Kingdom, as reported by the Financial Times.

According to a Japanese government official, export decisions are contingent upon formal requests from the country where the license holder operates. So far, the United States has been the sole nation to make such a request.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel hailed Japan's decision as "historic" and a testament to the shared commitment to deterrence. He noted Japan's ongoing defense modernization efforts, terming it a "once-in-a-generation" transformation.

Japan's ruling party has been contemplating alterations to export controls for months. These changes are crucial, particularly as they may affect the potential export of next-generation fighter jets, currently being developed in collaboration with Britain and Italy.

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