Japan to Relax Arms Export Ban

{{Japan is to ease its self-imposed arms export ban for the first time in almost 50 years.}}

In the past all military sales have effectively been banned, although there has been technology transfer to the US.

The new conditions would allow Japan to jointly develop arms with allies and give its defence industry access to new markets and technology.

The move is likely to be viewed with suspicion in China, which has accused Japan of increasing militarism.

Japan adopted a pacifist constitution after World War Two which prohibits going to war except in cases of self-defence.

It has for decades observed the “three principles” of not exporting arms to countries that are communist, subject to UN arms embargos and involved or likely to be involved in international conflicts.

These principles were adopted in 1967 and later evolved into a full self-imposed ban.

But Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is keen to bolster national security and also normalise some of the restrictions Japan placed on itself after World War Two.

BBC