Japanese Media: Japan Plans to Export Used Warships to the Philippines, Potentially First Case After Lifting Export Ban
Japanese media reports indicate that Japan and the Philippines are coordinating a new framework to export used destroyers from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to the Philippine military. This could be the first export case after Japan's principal lifting of its arms export ban.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 13:32
- 🔍 Collected: April 29, 2026 at 14:01 (28 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 29, 2026 at 14:05 (4 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Tokyo 29th comprehensive foreign reports) Japanese media cited sources revealing that Japan and the Philippines are coordinating a new framework agreement to export used destroyers of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to the Philippine military. This could become the first export case after Japan's principal lifting of its arms export ban.
On April 21, the Japanese government revised its "Three Principles on Defense Equipment Transfer" and its implementation guidelines, revoking the original restrictions limited to five types of uses: rescue, transport, alert, surveillance, and mine sweeping. It now allows the export of "weapons" as defined by the "Self-Defense Forces Act," meaning equipment capable of killing enemies or destroying objects.
The transfer targets are limited to countries that have signed defense equipment and technology transfer agreements with Japan, currently including 17 countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, India, the Philippines, and France. If countries under negotiation or those whose agreements have not yet taken effect are included, the number could increase to about 20 in the future. The Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) reported that with the lifting of restrictions, Japan is expected to concretely negotiate arms exports with various countries in the future.
Kyodo News reported on the 28th, citing several sources, that Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi will visit the Philippines starting May 5 and is expected to finalize related matters during talks with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.
Japan plans to export Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines. These destroyers are mainly equipped with high-performance cannons, anti-ship missile systems, and short torpedo launchers.
The report points out that Japan may also transfer these used destroyers for free, but relevant legal配套 measures still need to be completed. Japan intends to smoothly promote relevant agreements by establishing a framework. (Translator: Yang Wei-ching) 1150429
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(Central News Agency Tokyo 29th comprehensive foreign reports) Japanese media cited sources revealing that Japan and the Philippines are coordinating a new framework agreement to export used destroyers of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to the Philippine military. This could become the first export case after Japan's principal lifting of its arms export ban.
On April 21, the Japanese government revised its "Three Principles on Defense Equipment Transfer" and its implementation guidelines, revoking the original restrictions limited to five types of uses: rescue, transport, alert, surveillance, and mine sweeping. It now allows the export of "weapons" as defined by the "Self-Defense Forces Act," meaning equipment capable of killing enemies or destroying objects.
The transfer targets are limited to countries that have signed defense equipment and technology transfer agreements with Japan, currently including 17 countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, India, the Philippines, and France. If countries under negotiation or those whose agreements have not yet taken effect are included, the number could increase to about 20 in the future. The Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) reported that with the lifting of restrictions, Japan is expected to concretely negotiate arms exports with various countries in the future.
Kyodo News reported on the 28th, citing several sources, that Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi will visit the Philippines starting May 5 and is expected to finalize related matters during talks with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.
Japan plans to export Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines. These destroyers are mainly equipped with high-performance cannons, anti-ship missile systems, and short torpedo launchers.
The report points out that Japan may also transfer these used destroyers for free, but relevant legal配套 measures still need to be completed. Japan intends to smoothly promote relevant agreements by establishing a framework. (Translator: Yang Wei-ching) 1150429
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Texts, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.