On December 25, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan's Security Research Committee proposed recommendations to the government for revising its operational guidelines regarding the three principles of defense equipment transfer. This recommendation includes the abolition of the 'Five Types' limitation that confines weapons exports to specified purposes such as rescue, transportation, surveillance, and mine sweeping. The proposal seeks to allow exports of military equipment for international collaborative development, including the possibility of exports to countries engaged in combat under exceptional circumstances as determined by the government. This intention reflects a dramatic pivot in Japan's defense policy, emphasizing a more proactive approach to military exports.

The LDP's recommendation signifies a fundamental change to Japan's stance on arms exports, proposing to relax the restrictions that have traditionally governed such transactions. This policy change is not merely procedural; the LDP views it as a 'major policy shift' that could revolutionize Japan's defense export landscape. The party intends to formulate a ruling party proposal based on these recommendations and submit it to the government, which plans to revise the operational guidelines during the current parliamentary session without necessitating any legal amendments.

Additionally, the recommendation delineates criteria for distinguishing between high-military capability items such as fighter jets, destroyers, and submarines, and non-military equipment such as radar systems. By establishing different requirements for different categories of equipment, the LDP aims to streamline the export process while adhering to Japan's national security priorities. This policy change could lead to increased participation in international arms markets and collaborations, reshaping Japan's role in global defense dynamics.