Japan eases export rules for second-hand military hardware

Japan has begun to consider relaxing export conditions on used Self-Defense Forces hardware including tanks and missiles, which are now prohibited from being supplied to foreign countries.

It will also look into offering Asian countries such equipment free of charge to enhance defence cooperation as China expands its military power, according to Nikkei.

The easing of overseas transfer rules would be included in the country's National Security Strategy document that outlines basic policy and is due to be revised at the end of the year. The goal is to revise legislation and the country's three principles of arms exports by the end of 2023.

A 2017 legal change allowed secondhand hardware to be provided to other countries for such activities as disaster response and information gathering. This limited eligibility to vessels and aircraft that are not used on actual battlefields.

Japan has hardware and technology transfer agreements with six countries in Asia, including India, Vietnam and the Philippines. Equipment exports and grants to such countries are envisioned. If Tokyo changes the items that can be transferred, used tanks and missiles could be included.

China's growing military presence is viewed as a threat by Japan, which is now seeking to enhance military and security cooperation with neighbouring countries. Providing used SDF hardware would facilitate training and other forms of cooperation.