日本首次出口“爱国者”导弹

Core Viewpoint - The Japanese government has completed the export of "Patriot" air defense missiles to the United States, marking a significant shift in Japan's defense policy and raising concerns about potential regional security implications [1][2]. Group 1: Export of Defense Equipment - The Japanese government has delivered "Patriot" air defense missiles to the U.S. as part of a contract, which is the first export of lethal weapons since Japan relaxed its arms export policy in 2023 [2]. - This export follows the revision of Japan's "Three Principles on Defense Equipment Transfer" and operational guidelines, allowing Japanese contractors to export defense equipment to countries with manufacturing licenses [1][2]. Group 2: Policy Changes - On December 22, 2023, the Japanese government approved a new version of the "Three Principles on Defense Equipment Transfer," enabling the export of domestically produced "Patriot" missiles to the U.S. [2]. - This decision represents the first time since the 2014 cabinet resolution that Japan has allowed the export of lethal weapons, indicating a significant policy shift in Japan's defense strategy [2].