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Japan's reported Type 03 missile export plan to Philippines breaks away from pacifist constitution, could undermine regional peace: expert

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun and Du Qiongfang Published: Nov 30, 2025 11:51 PM

Japan's Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile has again come under the spotlight, with Japan's Kyodo News on Sunday reporting that Tokyo is holding informal consultations with the Philippines over the missile's export. Amid Japan's consecutive military expansion gestures and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan, a Chinese expert slammed the move as another breakaway from Japan's pacifist constitution that could undermine regional peace and stability.

Kyodo News reported that the Japanese government is holding informal consultations with the Philippines regarding the export of the Japan Self-Defense Forces' Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile.

Citing multiple sources, Kyodo News reported that the Takaichi administration plans to abolish the current regulations that restrict defense equipment exports to five non-combat-related categories as early as the first half of next year. Following the formal decision, concrete deliberations for the export will commence promptly.

This development underscores the administration's proactive stance toward defense equipment exports, the Kyodo News report claimed.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Sunday that Japan's arms export restrictions prohibit the export of lethal weapons, and the country's post-war pacifist constitution restricts its possession of offensive weaponry.

Japan's recent military gestures, including announcing its plan to deploy the Type 03 missile on Yonaguni island, which lies only about 110 kilometers from China's Taiwan island, as well as its plan to export the same missile to the Philippines, are blatant breakaways from its post-war restrictions, and a dangerous sign of revival of militarism, Zhang said, noting that this could pose a serious threat to peace and stability in the region.

In response to Japanese defense minister Shinjiro Koizumi's claims about the deployment of the missile unit to the Yonaguni Island, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference on November 24 that Japan's deployment of offensive weapons in Southwest Islands close to China's Taiwan region is a deliberate move that breeds regional tensions and stokes military confrontation. Given Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan, this move is extremely dangerous and should put Japan's neighboring countries and the international community on high alert.

The Potsdam Proclamation explicitly stipulates that Japan shall not be permitted to "re-arm for war." The Japanese Constitution, which enshrines pacifism, also established Japan's exclusively defense-oriented policy. It is alarming, however, that in recent years, Japan has drastically readjusted its security policy, increased defense budget year after year, relaxed restrictions on arms export, sought to develop offensive weapons, and planned to abandon its three non-nuclear principles. Japan's right-wing provocateurs are trying every means to break free from the pacifist constitution, going further down the path of military buildup and leading Japan and the region to disastrous outcomes, Mao said.

The Type 03 missile is not the only weapon Japan is mulling to sell to the Philippines, as there have been reports suggesting that Japan is also planning to export used warships. Zhang said that these moves likely aim to further arm the Philippines and embolden it in continuing its provocations over China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea. This is yet another move that will stir up regional tensions and sabotage peace and stability.

In response to Japan's reported plan to export six used Abukuma-class destroyer escorts, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said at a regular press conference in July that "We have consistently maintained that defense and security cooperation between relevant countries should not target third parties or undermine their interests."

During World War II, Japanese militarism launched aggressive wars and imposed colonial rule on neighboring countries including China and the Philippines, occupied the South China Sea Islands, and bears serious historical responsibilities. In recent years, Japan has broken through the constraints of its pacifist constitution and the "exclusive defense" principle, continuously exporting weapons and equipment overseas. It attempts to form "small cliques" to stir up trouble in the South China Sea, creating destabilizing factors for the Asia-Pacific region, Jiang said.

"This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. We urge Japan to profoundly reflect on its history, learn from historical lessons, exercise prudence in military and security affairs, and do more to safeguard regional peace and stability," said the Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson.