Chinese embassy in Japan on Friday referenced the Enemy State Clauses in the United Nations Charter on social media, following reports that Japan exported lethal weapons for the first time since easing its arms export restrictions.

The X post, published in both Chinese and Japanese, noted that the clauses originally allow the victors in WWII – including China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States – to take military measures against any former Axis powers, chiefly Germany, Italy and Japan, should they pursue aggressive policies, without requiring prior UN Security Council authorization.

The "enemy state" provisions, contained in Articles 53, 77 and 107 of the Charter, were established by the Allied powers to prevent the recurrence of wars of aggression. The designation of "enemy states" in the UN Charter historically referred to Germany, Italy, Japan and their allied states during WWII.

The clauses have long been cited as a political obstacle to Japan's aspirations to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Since joining the UN, Japan has repeatedly requested their removal, but the issue has not gained international approval.