According to the Asahi Shimbun website on March 26th, at the National Security Council (NSC) meeting held on the morning of the 26th, the Japanese government revised the application guidelines for the "Three Principles on the Transfer of Defense Equipment" that restrict weapon exports and lifted the ban on the export of new generation fighter jets jointly developed by Japan with the UK and Italy to third countries. Japan has previously strictly restricted the export of weapons, but the lifting of the ban on the export of fighter jets, the most lethal weapon, marks a significant shift in Japan's security policy. The report stated that this revision did not expand the scope of exportable weapons to all international joint development equipment, but was limited to the new generation of fighter jets. The export targets only include countries that have signed the Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement with Japan and promised not to use the imported weapons for aggression. Prior to this revision, the Japanese government held a cabinet meeting on the necessity of exporting a new generation of fighter jets, and the relevant policies were passed by a cabinet resolution. In addition, when exporting new generation fighter jets in the future, in addition to being approved by the NSC according to current procedures, decisions must also be made by the cabinet for each export project. According to Agence France Presse on March 26th, the Japanese cabinet relaxed the country's strict military equipment transfer regulations on March 26th, allowing the export of next-generation fighter jets jointly developed by Japan, the UK, and Italy to third parties. These three countries will gather their expertise in cutting-edge air combat technology to develop this type of fighter and strive to begin deployment by 2035. The report quoted Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Lin Fangzheng as saying that after the ruling coalition reached an agreement earlier this month, the cabinet approved modifications to Japan's defense equipment transfer policy. Previously, Japan banned the export of weapons to third countries, although there have been some exceptions in recent years. Lin Fang told reporters, "We need to establish a system that allows us to transfer defense equipment to countries outside of our partners and make the same contribution as Britain and Italy." The report also stated that Japan's post-war constitution limited the function of its military power to taking defensive measures. Nevertheless, the country has thoroughly reformed its security policies in recent years. Japan plans to raise defense spending to NATO standards by 2027, which is 2% of GDP. (Lai Xin She)