LDP and public policy leaders begin talks on export of defense equipment jointly developed with other countries

The political affairs research chairs of both the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito Party have begun discussions regarding whether to allow the export of defense equipment jointly developed with other countries to third countries, including the next generation of fighter jets.

Komeito argued that security needs and measures to gain public understanding should be carefully considered.

Officials from both the Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito Party have been considering the issue of whether to allow the export of defense equipment jointly developed with other countries to third countries, such as the next-generation fighter aircraft being developed with Britain and Italy, from April last year until the end of the year. However, no agreement was reached between the two parties.

Therefore, in order to resolve the situation, starting on the 21st, the Liberal Democratic Party's Political Affairs Research Chairman Watami and Komeito's Political Affairs Research Chairman Takagi began discussions, and received an explanation from the government about what had been discussed among working officials. Ta.

Mr. Takagi argued that security needs and measures to gain public understanding should be carefully considered.

On the other hand, regarding the future schedule, discussions regarding the division of labor for the development of the next fighter jet are expected to begin in earnest from next month onwards, and the government has requested that a conclusion be reached by the end of this month. I have confirmed that I can proceed.

What is the next fighter jet? What is the aim of its development?

A next-generation fighter jet that Japan is jointly developing with Britain and Italy.

Based on the American F16 fighter, Japan has independently improved the F2 fighter, of which over 90 were produced, and will be retired from around 2035, so it will be developed as its successor.

We aim to surpass the performance of ``5th generation aircraft'' such as America's state-of-the-art F35 and F22 fighter jets.

While improving its ability to detect enemy aircraft, it also further enhances its stealth properties, making it difficult to be detected by enemy radar, and says it will ``realize a new way of fighting that has not been realized in any other country,'' and will also be able to fight in cooperation with a large number of unmanned aircraft. We aim to make this possible and deploy it in 2035.

The background to the aim of developing such fighter aircraft is that the deployment of "5th generation aircraft" is progressing in China and Russia surrounding Japan, and in China in particular, the number of fighter aircraft, including 4th generation aircraft, is expected to reach 1270 by 2022. This is because it is rapidly increasing.

Most of the fighter aircraft owned by the Air Self-Defense Force are "4th generation aircraft", and the number is 318, about one-quarter.

Therefore, we would like to counter this by increasing the capabilities of the aircraft.

However, developing a new fighter jet requires significant costs.

The government says that joint development will not only reduce costs and risks compared to Japan developing it alone, but also that it is expected to deepen security defense cooperation with partner countries.

Furthermore, exporting to third countries will not only increase production numbers and lower mass production costs, but will also revitalize the domestic defense industry.

For this reason, the Liberal Democratic Party is calling for a review of the operational guidelines for the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment, which prohibits the export of defense equipment to third countries.

On the other hand, the New Komeito Party took a cautious stance, saying, ``If we allow the export of the next generation of fighter jets without restrictions, there are concerns that all kinds of weapons will be able to be exported.It is important for the government to show a direction that the people can accept.'' Is not ...

Liberal Democratic Party Policy Research Council Chairman Tokai Tokai: ``Efforts will be made while looking at the results of the government's review''

Liberal Democratic Party Political Affairs Research Chairman Watami Watanabe told reporters, ``As a party, we will take back the homework we received from Komeito and have the government consider it further.'' How to advance public understanding is always a challenge for politics, and the government "We still have time until the end of this month, so I would like to make efforts while looking at the results of the government's review."

Komei Policy Research Council Chairman Takagi ``conveyed the party's awareness of issues''

Komeito's Political Affairs Research Chairman Takagi told reporters, ``When we decided to jointly develop the next fighter jet, we were not aware that the finished product would be exported to a third country, but why did we decide to export it? The issue is how to gain understanding, and he conveyed Komeito's awareness of the problem.Representative Yamaguchi said, ``There is no deadline,'' but the government is asking for a conclusion to be reached by the end of this month. We have to work hard to achieve that.”