In a development that has drawn strong reactions from Beijing, Japan recently completed the export of Patriot air-defence interceptor missiles to the United States. This marks Japan’s first export of deadly weapons since it relaxed arms-export restrictions, signaling what many analysts view as a major shift in the country’s post-war security posture.
According to reports, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has also begun internal discussions on revising key national security documents. These discussions reportedly include reconsideration of the country’s long-standing three non-nuclear principles and exploring further increases in defense spending.
Responding to these developments, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning underscored Japan’s historical obligations following World War II. Mao highlighted that international legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender explicitly required Japan, as a defeated country, to be completely disarmed and prohibited from maintaining industries that could support rearmament.
However, Mao noted that Japan has steadily moved away from these restrictions in recent years. She pointed out that Japan has increased its defense budget for 13 consecutive years, adopted new security legislation allowing the exercise of the right to collective self-defense, and replaced the former Three Principles on Arms Exports with the more permissive Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology. This shift has now culminated in the export of deadly weapons like the Patriot interceptors.
Mao further emphasized that although Japan publicly expresses its desire to work toward a world free of nuclear weapons, its actions tell a different story. According to her, Japan is deepening cooperation on extended deterrence and even exploring revisions to its three non-nuclear principles—namely not possessing, not producing and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons. Such changes, she warned, could open the door to nuclear-sharing arrangements, fundamentally altering Japan’s post-war security identity.
She stressed that these moves indicate Japan is rapidly breaking free from its exclusively defense-oriented principle and effectively rearming itself. Mao questioned what Japan ultimately seeks to achieve through these escalating actions.
The spokesperson delivered a firm warning that any attempt by Japan to return to the path of militarism, violate its commitment to peaceful development or disrupt the post-war international order will not be tolerated. She said that both the Chinese people and the international community will firmly oppose such a direction, and that any such attempt will ultimately fail.
Disclaimer
This article is based on official statements, media reports, and public sources. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not promote or endorse any political position or international narrative.
