Even though the move to export arms has not garnered nearly as much attention nor controversy as Abe’s other security initiatives, this is a significant change in Japan’s defense posture. Until now, Japanese defense manufacturers’ only customer has been the Japanese government – which has led to a lack of market discipline in the industry. Japan’s defense sector is “a world of its own, with their own rules,” Ganyard says. Future ChallengesSignificant hurdles remain, however, as Japan has virtually no experience using arms exports as a foreign policy tool. But the sheer challenge that Japan’s defense industry faces means that progress will be slow and cautious.