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  5. Annual Report on the Status of the Approval of Overseas Transfers of Defense Equipment and Technology Compiled

Annual Report on the Status of the Approval of Overseas Transfers of Defense Equipment and Technology Compiled

November 27, 2024

Implementation Guidelines for the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology (decided by the National Security Council [NSC] on April 1, 2014) require the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to prepare an annual report on the status of the approval of overseas transfers of defense equipment and technology. This annual report is a compilation of the status of the approval of overseas transfers of defense equipment and technology made in FY2023 by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act. The report is the tenth so far.

In FY2023, the METI Minister issued 1,196 individual permits for overseas transfers of defense equipment and technology. These can be classified according to the types of the Implementation Guidelines as follows. It was also found that about 80% of the cases aim at the repair of defense equipment and technology for the Self-Defense Forces (SDF).
 
  1. Overseas transfers that contribute to active promotion of peace contribution and international cooperation: 42 cases
  2. Overseas transfers that contribute to Japan's security: 1,064
    Those related to international joint development and production: 52
    Those contributing to enhancing security and defense cooperation: 22
    Those necessary for supporting activities of the SDF's etc. or ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals: 990
  3. Overseas transfers of defense equipment and technology to a country that is subject to aggression in violation of international law, use of force, or threat of force: 3
  4. Overseas transfers whose impact from the viewpoint of Japan's security is judged to be very small: 86
  5. Overseas transfers that have been examined as the exemption measures that were taken under the previous Three Principles on Arms Exports and the collateral policy guidelines. (excluding cases falling under the types above): 1

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Division in Charge

Security Export Control Administration Division, Trade and Economic Security Bureau