Open for business: Japan’s easing of arms exports is a defense game changer

The defense industrial base of the Western world is faltering under tremendous strain. But thanks to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, it’s about to get a desperately needed injection of reinforcements.

With her historic mandate, Japan’s “Iron Lady” is moving forward to overturn longstanding Japanese government restrictions on arms exports, providing a boon to both Japanese defense firms and the defense industrial base of the U.S. and its allies. Takaichi’s cabinet has approved the...