DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2016.v04i05.009

Pages: 519-526

Abe Cabinet’s substitution of the new Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology (TPTDET) for the long-lasting Three Principles of Arms Exports (TPAE) has aroused debate over whether it has signified the abolishment of Japan’s postwar pacifist policy, as well as whether it will stimulate the staggering Japanese Defense Industries. The purpose of this article is to explore the actual impact of policy, using TPEA and TPTDET as a case, on Japan’s defense industries. The article has five sections. The first section introduces the background and significance of this topic, current research status, approaches to be used in the article, and the novelty of the research. The second section is an overview of Japan’s defense industries under TPAE regimes. The third section covers the development and characteristics of the new TPTDET regime. The fourth section examines the implication of TPTDET to Japan’s defense industries. The fifth section is the conclusion.