Japan officially relaxes arms export rules

Tokyo (ANTARA) - The Japanese government has officially revised the “three principles on the transfer of defence equipment and technology” along with their implementation guidelines on Tuesday (21/4) to allow the sale of weapons abroad, including those with lethal capabilities. The changes were approved by the Cabinet and the National Security Council, as reported by Kyodo News. The revision removes rules that restricted the export of Japanese defence equipment to five non-combat categories: rescue, transportation, warning, surveillance, and mine clearance. Instead, defence equipment will be categorised as “weapons” or “non-weapons” based on whether they possess lethal capabilities. Although the revision principally prohibits the export of weapons to countries embroiled in conflict, it allows exceptions “in special circumstances” that take into account Japan’s security needs.