Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on April 21 announced amendments to the Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology and related guidelines, changing Japan's military export rules set in 2014. [1]
The new framework gives Japan greater scope to sell lethal weapons overseas, a shift that could broaden a defense industry that has accounted for only a tiny share of global arms exports. [1]
Takaichi said Japan faced a severe security environment and that no single country could protect its own peace and security alone. "In an increasingly severe security environment, no single country can now protect its own peace and security alone, and partner countries that support each other in terms of defence equipment are necessary," she said. [1]
China rebuked Japan's new arms export policy. [1]
Japan's defense industry has lagged far behind regional neighbors China and South Korea, both of which rank among the world's top 10 weapons exporters. [1]
The cabinet announced the amendments on April 21. [1]
