On May 26, 2026, Kyodo News reported that Japan is targeting a potential export of its Mogami-class destroyer to New Zealand. This is part of broader efforts to expand defence cooperation and enhance maritime security across the Indo-Pacific region.
At the same time, Tokyo is advancing a trilateral defence dialogue with Australia, aimed at forging a closer cooperative framework between the three countries. Discussions are expected to cover shared security concerns, joint exercises, and intelligence sharing.
Japan's consideration of exporting the Mogami-class destroyer — one of the most advanced vessels of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force — signals a shift in the country's arms-export policy. Previously, Japan maintained very restrictive weapons-export regulations, but in recent years it has gradually loosened them to strengthen security collaboration with allies.
Both New Zealand and Australia are key partners in the region, and this trilateral defence cooperation is expected to contribute to stability in the South China Sea and the Pacific, areas that are experiencing heightened tensions.
Details of the negotiation timeline and specific export terms have not yet been disclosed, but analysts say that, if successful, this would mark a significant step in defence ties between Japan and Oceanian nations.
