Foreign, defense ministers sign agreement

Pact lays institutional groundwork for equipment transfers

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. [Getty Images]
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. [Getty Images]

Japan, which has eased its arms export regulations, signed a defense equipment and technology transfer agreement with Finland.

Japan's Foreign Ministry said Monday that Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen signed the defense equipment and technology transfer agreement at the ministry in Tokyo.

The agreement gives Japan the institutional framework to export its defense equipment to Finland. The two countries also plan to deepen cooperation in the joint research, development and production of defense equipment and related technologies.

Earlier, the Japanese government revised its three principles on defense equipment transfers and their operational guidelines in April, effectively permitting arms exports as a general rule. However, exports are restricted to countries that have concluded a defense equipment transfer agreement with Japan.

The agreement was signed amid growing security concerns surrounding Russia. Finland has heightened its security vigilance since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and joined NATO the following year in 2023.

Japan, too, views security threats in its region — including Russian and Chinese bombers flying near its waters — with growing concern. Analysts expect the two countries to expand cooperation in defense equipment and other security areas with Russia in mind.

At a meeting held after the signing, Motegi said security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is inseparably linked. He said the agreement with Finland, a strategic partner sharing the same values and principles, carried significant meaning.

Hakkanen also held a separate meeting that day with Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shin-ji.

According to Kyodo News and other outlets, the two defense ministers welcomed the conclusion of the defense equipment transfer agreement and agreed to advance cooperation in related areas.

Hakkanen said Russia and North Korea are threatening the security environment, adding, "We share the same values and perceptions."


woo@heraldcorp.com