Global Pulse

分类： world

  • Mass trial for 486 alleged MS-13 gang leaders begins in El Salvador

    Mass trial for 486 alleged MS-13 gang leaders begins in El Salvador

    A landmark mass trial that marks one of the largest gang prosecutions in modern history has commenced in El Salvador, targeting 486 top leaders and key associates of the notorious transnational criminal organization MS-13, the country’s attorney general’s office has confirmed. The sprawling case comes nearly three years after President Nayib Bukele launched a hardline, widely debated nationwide crackdown on gang activity that has reshaped the Central American nation’s security landscape.

    According to official prosecutors, the 486 defendants are collectively linked to more than 47,000 separate criminal offenses carried out between 2012 and 2022. The long list of charges includes murder, extortion, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, femicide, forced disappearances, and an unprecedented charge of rebellion. Prosecutors allege the group sought to consolidate territorial control across El Salvador to build a parallel state that could challenge the authority of the elected government. A number of the accused are also tied to a devastating 2022 outbreak of gang violence that left 87 people dead over a single weekend in March of that year—a bloodbath that directly prompted Bukele to declare a formal “war on gangs” and roll out sweeping emergency security measures.

    Prosecutors have stated they hold compelling evidence that will support the pursuit of maximum criminal penalties for all defendants convicted in the case. As of the trial’s opening, 413 of the accused are already in custody, while 73 remaining suspects are being tried in absentia, with active arrest warrants still in effect for the fugitives. El Salvador’s National Civil Police says its years of targeted intelligence gathering, research and covert monitoring operations made it possible to map out the gang’s hierarchical structure, locate suspects, and document the full scope of their criminal activity ahead of trial.

    MS-13, the transnational gang at the center of the case, traces its origins back to 1980s Los Angeles, where it was formed by Salvadoran refugees fleeing the country’s brutal civil war. In recent decades, the organization has expanded its footprint dramatically across Central America, where it now maintains a larger and more powerful presence than it does in the United States. Last year, the U.S. government formally designated MS-13 as a terrorist organization, acknowledging its cross-border reach and violent impact. In a statement ahead of trial, El Salvador’s attorney general’s office emphasized that the gang’s decades of systematic criminal activity have not only spread fear and immeasurable grief across Salvadoran households, but also held back the country’s broader economic and social progress.

    The trial is taking place against the backdrop of a controversial ongoing state of emergency that Bukele first implemented in March 2022, shortly after the deadly wave of violence. The emergency measure vastly expanded law enforcement’s power to detain individuals suspected of gang ties or collaboration, and temporarily suspended a number of constitutional rights protections. Since the policy was implemented, tens of thousands of suspected gang members and affiliates have been arrested across the country, but the approach has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights organizations, which have documented widespread allegations of arbitrary detentions of innocent civilians and other human rights abuses. Legal reforms enacted by the Bukele administration in recent years also explicitly paved the way for mass gang trials like the proceeding that opened this week.

  • 3 soldiers die in a shell explosion inside a tank gun turret during army drill in Japan

    3 soldiers die in a shell explosion inside a tank gun turret during army drill in Japan

    On a Tuesday military exercise at a training ground in southern Japan, a catastrophic internal explosion inside a Type 10 main battle tank claimed the lives of three Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers and left a fourth service member wounded, defense officials confirmed.

    The fatal incident unfolded at the Hijudai Training Area, located in Oita Prefecture, as the Type 10 tank took part in a live-fire drill alongside two other armored vehicles. At the time of the blast, three service members — the tank’s commander, gunner and a designated safety officer — were positioned inside the vehicle’s gun turret, and all three died as a result of the explosion. The fourth crew member, the tank’s driver, escaped immediate death but sustained injuries that required medical attention.

    In the wake of the tragedy, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Masayoshi Arai announced an immediate suspension to all live-fire training operations for two of Japan’s main tank models: the Type 10 and the older Type 90. Both platforms utilize the same type of live ammunition that was in use during Tuesday’s accident. The suspension will remain in place throughout the official investigation into the root cause of the explosion and other key circumstances surrounding the incident.

    “Our priority is to quickly identify the cause of this accident so we can implement thorough preventive measures to stop such a tragedy from happening again,” Arai stated in a press briefing following the blast.

    First rolled out for deployment in 2011, the Type 10 stands as Japan’s most modern domestically produced main battle tank, designed to deliver enhanced mobility, firepower and armor protection for the nation’s ground defense forces.

  • Arrests in Nigeria after abduction of local monarch ‘held for ransom’

    Arrests in Nigeria after abduction of local monarch ‘held for ransom’

    A high-stakes abduction of a Nigerian traditional ruler has triggered a major security operation in Kwara State, with law enforcement officers taking 42 suspected illegal miners into custody as part of the sprawling investigation. The incident unfolded on a Saturday evening in the Olayinka community, located in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the north-central Nigerian state, when a team of around 10 heavily armed assailants stormed the palace of Oba Salman Olatunji Aweda, the community’s reigning monarch.

    According to Kwara State Police Commissioner Adekimi Ojo, the attack came just moments after a group of miners operating in the local area had held a meeting with the traditional ruler and left a cash payment with him. Details of the business arrangement between the miners and the monarch remain unconfirmed by official sources, but Ojo confirmed that the gunmen broke into the palace, located the ruler in his private quarters, and demanded he hand over the cash the miners had delivered earlier that day. Though Oba Aweda complied with the demand, the attackers still abducted him alongside his brother. The brother was later abandoned when he grew too exhausted to keep up with the gunmen while traveling barefoot into the nearby forest, leaving him tied to a tree before he was eventually discovered. The assailants successfully fled into the dense woodland with the monarch still in their custody.

    Local residents have confirmed that the kidnappers have since reached out to the community to demand a $300,000 ransom for the ruler’s safe release, though state authorities have yet to officially confirm the exact ransom figure.

    This abduction has amplified already growing concerns over escalating insecurity across Kwara State, where attacks on rural communities have spiked in recent months. For years, violent criminal gangs known locally as bandits have carried out systematic kidnappings for ransom and indiscriminate killings across Nigeria’s northwestern region. In recent times, these gangs have expanded their operational footprint into other parts of the country, including Kwara, triggering the formation of informal vigilante groups tasked with protecting vulnerable rural communities that lack consistent state security presence.

    Beyond bandit activity, the jihadist insurgent faction Mahmuda has also stepped up operations in rural areas of the state. In a high-profile attack earlier this year, the group launched a bold assault on a local Muslim community, killing at least 75 people and targeting the family of a traditional ruler after he banned the group from preaching in the area.

    Currently, Nigerian security forces are conducting extensive search operations across the forested terrain surrounding the Olayinka community to locate the kidnapped monarch and apprehend his abductors. Local government officials are coordinating closely with both state security agencies and local vigilante groups to secure a safe release for Oba Aweda. In recent attacks across Kwara, armed groups have repeatedly exploited the state’s porous border forests to evade capture by security forces, posing a persistent challenge to counter-insurgency and anti-kidnapping operations. Attacks on key infrastructure including rural highways and farms, as well as targeted abductions of traditional leaders, have become increasingly common in the region as insecurity worsens.

  • 3 dead, 1 injured after ammunition explosion at GSDF training area in Japan’s Oita

    3 dead, 1 injured after ammunition explosion at GSDF training area in Japan’s Oita

    A deadly ammunition explosion at a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) training range in Oita Prefecture has left three people dead and one additional person injured, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK. The incident unfolded on a Tuesday morning in the midst of an ongoing military training exercise.

    Citing unnamed sources connected to Japan’s defense ministry, NHK confirmed that the blast struck the Hijudai maneuver area, a GSDF training facility located in the southwestern region of Japan’s main islands. Multiple personnel participating in the training exercise were directly caught in the explosion when it occurred. Initial on-site assessments indicate the training operation was being carried out by a GSDF tank unit.

    In the wake of the incident, GSDF officials have launched a formal investigation to unpack the full details of the tragedy. Investigators are currently working to confirm the full identities and backgrounds of the casualties, assess the extent of the injured person’s harm, and pinpoint the root cause that led to the accidental detonation. As of the latest update, no additional details on the condition of the injured service member or potential contributing factors to the explosion have been released to the public.

  • US mayor’s Shanghai visit renews cooperation

    US mayor’s Shanghai visit renews cooperation

    In a landmark move signaling renewed commitment to cross-Pacific people-to-people and institutional cooperation, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie launched a two-day official visit to Shanghai on Sunday, marking his first international trip since assuming office in January 2026. The visit centers on deepening the 46-year-old sister-city relationship between the two major global metropolises, a bond that has served as a cornerstone of China-U.S. local exchanges for decades.

    Calling the choice to make Shanghai his first overseas destination deliberate, Lurie framed the visit as a defining milestone for his new administration. “This decision reflects the priority I place on this relationship and the deep respect I have for the Chinese-American community in San Francisco,” he told attendees at a sister-city reception during his stay.

    Leading a cross-sector delegation focused on advancing tourism, cultural exchange and partnership building, Lurie oversaw the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with leading Shanghai-based cultural, educational and scientific institutions. The San Francisco delegation toured key local sites including the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Shanghai Natural History Museum, and Shanghai Grand Opera House, with four formal partnership agreements sealed across these institutions.

    On Monday, Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng held an official meeting with Lurie, where the two sides signed a new round of cooperation MOUs and outlined shared priorities for future collaboration. Gong emphasized that the newly signed agreements should serve as a fresh starting point to expand deeper joint work across trade and investment, urban governance, and cultural and artistic exchanges. He also encouraged leading enterprises from both cities to expand their market presence in each other’s jurisdictions to drive mutual economic benefit.

    For his part, Lurie articulated shared expectations for closer collaboration across a wide range of priority areas, including technological innovation, climate governance, sustainable development, urban management, culture, tourism, and grassroots people-to-people exchanges. “We are building on that foundation and investing in a future where science, education and sustainability remain at the center of our partnership,” Lurie said. “For us, this isn’t just about diplomacy. It’s about family, history and the neighborhoods that make our city what it is.”

    Cultural and artistic exchange emerged as a core highlight of the visit, with new agreements set to expand creative ties between the two cities. During a stop at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Lurie noted that the San Francisco Conservatory of Music has already hosted hundreds of Chinese students over the years, nurturing lasting creative connections between young artists on both sides. He expressed hope that San Francisco students traveling to Shanghai would build similarly enduring personal and professional bonds.

    A new partnership with the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum will clear the way for a major Chinese dinosaur exhibition to tour San Francisco. Additionally, the San Francisco Ballet has been scheduled to perform at the China Shanghai International Arts Festival in 2027, bringing one of the U.S.’s leading dance companies to Chinese audiences.

    David Stull, president of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, emphasized the unique power of artistic collaboration to bridge cultural divides. “Music is a universal language. Young musicians will lose track of where they’re from and what language they speak because the only language they’re focused on is music,” Stull said, adding that both cities share a common “spirit of imagination, innovation and the future.”

    Tourism also remains a critical pillar of the bilateral sister-city relationship. Mike Nakornkhet, director of San Francisco International Airport, reported that annual passenger traffic between China and San Francisco rebounded to 700,000 last year, with 23 weekly flights connecting the city to four major Chinese destinations. Ongoing expansion of air connectivity is expected to further boost people-to-people exchanges in the coming years.

    Lurie summed up the visit by noting that the agreements signed during the trip represent a formal shared commitment to advance ongoing collaboration across culture, the arts, sports, and youth exchanges. The new partnership framework is built on a foundation of mutual respect and recognition of the complementary strengths of both cities. “San Francisco is the home of technology alongside arts and culture,” Lurie said. “The world looks at San Francisco as the global hub of innovation and technology. I know Shanghai is also cutting-edge, and we look forward to continuing these partnerships for many more decades to come.”

  • Chad will deploy 1,500 troops to Haiti to help combat gang violence

    Chad will deploy 1,500 troops to Haiti to help combat gang violence

    N’DJAMENA, Chad – Amid spiraling gang-driven instability in Haiti, the Central African nation of Chad has formally announced plans to deploy 1,500 troops to the Caribbean country, joining the United Nations-endorsed multinational security mission tasked with quelling rampant organized violence, according to a formal correspondence from Chadian President Mahamat Déby Itno addressed to the national legislature.

    The president’s letter, delivered to sitting lawmakers on Monday, outlined that the deployment will be structured as two full battalions, each composed of 750 military personnel. The mission is scheduled to kick off this month and will run for an initial 12-month mandate, a response to an official request extended by the United Nations to boost the struggling anti-gang operation.

    Notably, a forward contingent of 400 Chadian soldiers has already been deployed to Haiti for the mission. President Déby emphasized that the deployment represents a point of national honor for Chad and its professional defense and security forces, who are stepping in to address a pressing global security crisis.

    This new contribution from Chad comes against a years-long backdrop of catastrophic insecurity that has crippled Haiti’s governing institutions. Last year, the UN Security Council greenlit an expansion of the Kenya-led multinational operation, officially dubbed the Gang Suppression Force, boosting its authorized troop strength from an initial 2,500 personnel to 5,500. The resolution also granted the expanded force new authority that its predecessor lacked: the power to arrest suspected gang members, a critical upgrade for targeting organized criminal groups.

    The original 2023 mission, led primarily by Kenyan police, was severely undermined from its launch by persistent shortfalls in both personnel and funding, leaving it unable to reverse the gang’s rapid territorial gains. Today, powerful and well-armed violent gangs control up to 90 percent of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, along with large swathes of the country’s central agricultural region.

    The crisis has already claimed countless lives and destabilized the country at the highest levels: in 2021, a team of armed assassins killed former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in a brazen attack inside his private residence. Just last month, the security situation deteriorated further when one of Haiti’s most powerful criminal groups, the Gran Grif gang, launched a fresh large-scale assault on the central town of Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite. Local human rights organizations confirm the attack left at least 30 people dead and dozens more unaccounted for, underscoring the urgent need for expanded international support to restore order.

  • Asia-Pacific warned of growing challenges

    Asia-Pacific warned of growing challenges

    As the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) launched its 82nd annual session in Bangkok on Monday, the agency released a stark new report warning that nations across the Asia-Pacific region are facing rapidly intensifying economic, social, and environmental threats driven by accelerating climate change and growing global geopolitical friction.

    Against a backdrop of unprecedented regional integration, the challenges facing Asia-Pacific economies have grown increasingly aligned, the report notes. These overlapping pressures range from muted post-pandemic economic growth and shifting global trade frameworks to the disruptive effects of rapid technological transformation. The five-day conference, centered on the theme “Leaving no one behind: Advancing a society for all ages in Asia and the Pacific”, brings together policymakers, academics, and stakeholders from across the region to address evolving demographic shifts and set shared socioeconomic priorities for the coming years.

    The report outlines that after weathering a prolonged period of sky-high global commodity prices and soaring interest rates, the region now faces new headwinds: rising tariffs, persistent economic policy uncertainty, and a cascade of knock-on effects that have fueled broader economic slowdown, accelerating trade fragmentation, and growing fiscal and debt vulnerability across multiple markets. Beyond economic pressures, the region is also navigating uneven demographic transformation: some nations are grappling with rapidly aging populations, while others continue to manage large, growing youth cohorts. This divergent shift creates a critical policy imperative: policymakers must create quality formal employment, boost labor productivity, and build cohesive, inclusive societies while adapting to major global megatrends including climate change, rapid urbanization, widespread digitization, and the rise of artificial intelligence.

    Despite these significant challenges, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, executive secretary of ESCAP, struck a cautiously optimistic tone in her opening remarks. “Despite external pressures, we have strong reasons for optimism as the Asia-Pacific is home to the world’s most dynamic economies and we have navigated past crises before and consistently emerged stronger,” she said. “Our leaders have demonstrated what is possible when countries learn from one another and co-develop solutions.”

    Alisjahbana called for deepened regional collaboration to co-design locally tailored development models that can better withstand unexpected external shocks. “Sustained progress hinges on joint capacity-building, knowledge exchange across national experiences, the scaling of context-appropriate innovations and forward-looking institution-building,” she added.

    In his keynote address to the opening session, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul echoed the conference’s core theme, noting that the promise of leaving no one behind can only be fulfilled if all community members are empowered to reach their full potential. He emphasized the urgent need to reform regional education systems to build widespread adaptability, embedding lifelong learning as a universal social norm.

    Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu also addressed the gathering, noting that international peace and development face growing threats from rising unilateralism and power politics that undermine global stability. “ESCAP member countries should deepen solidarity and cooperation to help forge an open, inclusive and mutually beneficial Asia-Pacific community of shared destiny, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, support UN reform and enhanced effectiveness, and strengthen performance through regional mechanisms,” Ma said. He added that the global community must retain a steadfast commitment to openness and the rules-based multilateral trading system, urging regional nations to capitalize on opportunities to expand cooperation and knowledge exchange in innovation and technology, with a particular focus on new materials, clean energy, and artificial intelligence.

  • Murayama Statement honored

    Murayama Statement honored

    A memorial service for former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, who passed away last October at the age of 101, brought together more than 400 political figures and peace advocates in Tokyo on Monday. The gathering centered on a shared call to honor Murayama’s landmark 1995 apology for Japan’s wartime aggression and push back against growing efforts to roll back the nation’s post-WWII pacifist constitutional framework, amid surging nationalist and militaristic rhetoric across the country.

    Attendees included sitting Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, former prime ministers Taro Aso and Yukio Hatoyama, and representatives from across Japan’s ruling and opposition political blocs, totaling around 450 guests. Murayama, Japan’s 81st prime minister and the first leader drawn from the Japan Socialist Party, died at his home in Oita Prefecture on October 17, 2025.

    Murayama’s most enduring legacy remains the historic cabinet-endorsed statement he released on August 15, 1995, the 50th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. In the document, widely known as the Murayama Statement, the government formally acknowledged that Japan had pursued a mistaken national policy that led it into war, triggering a catastrophic crisis for the Japanese people. It also admitted that Japan’s colonial rule and military aggression inflicted massive harm and suffering on populations across Asia and the world, offering official “deep remorse and heartfelt apology” for these wartime atrocities.

    Speaking at Monday’s memorial, Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima emphasized the unshakable historical importance of the 1995 statement, recalling that Murayama repeatedly warned the Japanese public that the nation must “never again wage war.” Fukushima, who joined Murayama on a past visit to China, noted that in today’s fractious global climate, marked by intensifying domestic debates over constitutional revisions and security policy shifts, upholding and expanding the spirit of the Murayama Statement remains critical to keeping Japan out of conflict and preserving regional peace.

    Takakage Fujita, secretary-general of the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement, told China Daily that the statement, paired with Japan’s post-war pacifist constitution, represents one of Japan’s most valuable political assets. This commitment to confronting historical wrongdoing has allowed Japan to rebuild trust with neighboring Asian nations and laid the groundwork for decades of constructive Japan-China friendship, he said, adding that its significance will resonate for generations to come.

    Fujita stressed that the statement is rooted in sincere, far-reaching reflection on the immense suffering Japan’s wartime aggression imposed on China and other Asian countries, serving as both a solemn pledge to never again initiate war and a formal declaration of peace for the entire Asia-Pacific region. “I will continue to uphold the spirit of the Murayama Statement and work tirelessly to promote Japan-China friendship,” Fujita added.

    Throughout his decades in public life, Murayama was a consistent, prominent voice pushing Japan to confront its wartime history honestly and build constructive, people-centered ties with China. Even shortly before his death, he sent a message to an international symposium marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. In that message, he argued that Japan can only truly restore its national standing “through humble reflection on Japan’s past.”

    On the topic of bilateral relations, Murayama wrote that a peaceful, friendly Japan-China relationship forms the foundational bedrock of overall stability across Asia. He reaffirmed his long-held belief that building enduring friendship between the two nations and strengthening this core pillar of regional peace is the only correct path to protecting and advancing Japan’s own national interests.

  • War in the Middle East: latest developments

    War in the Middle East: latest developments

    The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to unfold with a cascade of new developments across diplomatic, military, economic, and political fronts this week, reshaping regional dynamics and global market sentiment.

    On the diplomatic track, conflicting updates have emerged regarding planned indirect talks between Iran and the United States set to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan. Iran’s state-run television has firmly denied earlier reports that any Iranian negotiating delegation has already departed for the bilateral discussions, stating explicitly that no official group — whether core or ancillary — has left the country for the talks. A separate anonymous source familiar with U.S. planning confirmed to Agence France-Presse that an American delegation is still scheduled to travel to Pakistan “soon” for the new round of negotiations focused on de-escalation.

    Separately, the United States is moving forward with its diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border. A senior U.S. State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Washington will host a new round of direct talks between Israeli and Lebanese delegations on Thursday. This meeting follows an earlier negotiation session that paved the way for a fragile, currently holding ceasefire between Israeli forces and the Iran-aligned militant group Hezbollah. “We will continue to facilitate direct, good-faith discussions between the two governments,” the official noted.

    In northern Israel, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz outlined the dual strategy driving his country’s ongoing military campaign in southern Lebanon. Katz emphasized that Israel’s overarching objective is the full disarmament of Hezbollah, a step the country says is necessary to eliminate persistent security threats to Israeli communities located along the northern border. According to Katz, this goal will be pursued through a coordinated combination of targeted military pressure and parallel diplomatic action.

    Inside Iran, the national judiciary confirmed the execution of Amir Ali Mirjafari, a man convicted of multiple charges including collaboration with Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and the United States, involvement in arson at the prominent Gholhak Grand Mosque in Tehran, and leading anti-government security activities during pre-war protest waves. The execution was carried out by hanging on Wednesday morning, according to a statement published on Iran’s official judiciary Mizan Online website.

    On the maritime front, shipping industry intelligence outlet Lloyd’s List has documented that more than 20 Iranian-registered “shadow vessels” — unmarked or obscurely flagged vessels often used to evade trade restrictions — have successfully bypassed the U.S.-led naval blockade on Iranian ports. In normal peacetime conditions, the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies, sees an average of 120 commercial vessel transits on a daily basis, the outlet noted.

    In comments on U.S. policy toward Iran, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who oversaw last year’s Operation Midnight Hammer strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, offered updated remarks on the state of Iran’s uranium program. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump reiterated that the U.S. strikes achieved the complete destruction of Iran’s nuclear sites, adding that any future effort by the U.S. to recover enriched uranium from the targeted facilities would be an extended and logistically challenging process. Trump also reaffirmed his support for the ongoing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, stating that the trade restriction will remain in place until Iran signs a comprehensive peace agreement to end the current regional conflict. He noted that Iran loses an estimated $500 million daily under the blockade, a financial hit he described as unsustainable even over short timeframes.

    Global commodity and equity markets reacted to shifting optimism around a potential de-escalation deal that would end the conflict and reopen full transit through the Strait of Hormuz. As of 07:15 GMT, global benchmark Brent Crude fell 0.7% to trade at $94.78 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 1.4% to $88.35 per barrel. In contrast, global equity markets posted gains as investors grew more hopeful that a breakthrough deal could ease upward pressure on energy prices.

  • Japan loosens arms export rules in break from post-WW2 pacifism

    Japan loosens arms export rules in break from post-WW2 pacifism

    Eight decades of post-World War II pacifism that has shaped Japan’s national identity stands at a pivotal turning point, following a landmark policy shift announced by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration in April 2026. In a move that marks the most significant overhaul of Tokyo’s defence trade rules in modern history, the government has scrapped long-standing limitations that restricted Japanese arms exports to just five non-lethal categories: rescue, transport, warning, surveillance, and minesweeping equipment.

    The revised framework clears the way for Japan to export fully lethal weaponry to 17 nations with which it has pre-existing defence cooperation agreements, including major Western powers the United States and the United Kingdom. While a general ban on arms sales to countries actively engaged in armed conflict remains in place, officials confirmed the new rules allow for discretionary exceptions in what are defined as “special circumstances”.

    Announcing the policy change on social media platform X, Prime Minister Takaichi framed the shift as a necessary response to an increasingly unstable global security landscape. “In an increasingly severe security environment, no single country can now protect its own peace and security alone,” she wrote. Takaichi sought to reassure observers that the core tenets of Japan’s post-war identity remain unchanged, stating: “There is absolutely no change in our commitment to upholding the path and fundamental principles we have followed as a peace-loving nation for over 80 years since the war. Under the new system, we will strategically promote equipment transfers while making even more rigorous and cautious judgments on whether transfers are permissible.”

    Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara expanded on the government’s rationale during a press briefing, emphasizing that the policy adjustment is “intended to safeguard Japan’s security and further contribute to the peace and stability of the region”.

    The announcement coincided with another historic shift in Japan’s defence engagement: for the first time, Japanese Self-Defence Forces personnel are participating as active combat units in the annual joint military exercises hosted by the United States and the Philippines, moving beyond their previous role as non-combat observers. The drills are held in maritime areas of the Philippines close to disputed waters and islands claimed by Beijing, including the vicinity of Taiwan.

    China has issued strong pushback against both developments, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry stating it is “seriously concerned” about what it calls Japan’s “reckless militarization”. “China will remain highly vigilant and resolutely opposed [to the move],” the ministry said in a regular media briefing. Beijing has also condemned the joint exercises, arguing they deepen regional divisions. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as an integral part of its territory and has never ruled out the use of force to assert control, and tensions have risen steadily since Takaichi drew Beijing’s anger last year by suggesting Japan could deploy its Self-Defence Forces in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

    Japan’s post-war pacifist framework was enshrined in its 1947 constitution, most notably in Article 9, which formally renounces war as a tool for settling international disputes and prohibits the maintenance of standing offensive military capabilities. For generations, pacifism became a core part of Japan’s national identity, but a gradual shift in defence policy has unfolded over the past 12 years. In 2014, then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe relaxed a total blanket ban on military sales, opening the door to joint arms development with allied nations and granting Japan’s domestic defence industry access to new global markets and advanced technologies. Then in 2023, former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida went a step further, approving exports of fully finished lethal weapons for the first time since the end of World War II.

    Takaichi, who assumed office in October 2025, has long been an outspoken advocate for revising Japan’s pacifist constitution. While she has not released full details of proposed amendments, political analysts broadly expect any reform to focus on modifying or removing Article 9’s war-renouncing provisions.

    Supporters of the policy shift argue that Japan’s geostrategic reality demands an update to outdated post-war rules. Located in a neighborhood marked by rising Chinese military assertiveness, Russian regional aggression, and North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile programs, they argue Tokyo must adjust its defence posture to protect its own sovereignty and contribute to collective deterrence for regional allies.

    Critics, however, warn that the cumulative series of policy changes are steadily dismantling Japan’s 80-year commitment to pacifism, transforming the country into a fully war-capable military power that could be drawn into distant armed conflicts against its national interests. The debate over Japan’s defence future is set to intensify in the coming months as the Takaichi administration moves forward with plans to advance constitutional reform.