Tokyo: Japan has decided to ease the restrictions on weapons export in the first major overhaul of arms transfer policy in nearly half a century. This is under the grounds of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s policy to fortify ties with allies and strengthen the domestic defense industry.
Along with the arms export the government has decided to boost weapons development as well as production since they serve for international peace and Japan’s security.
This is a deviation from decades-old Japanese policy to ban all weapons exports. Although, Japan used to transfer the arms technology to the United States, the closest ally of Japan.
As per the new policy, Japan is thinking to focus mainly on non-lethal defense products such as patrol ships and mine detectors and said that it has no plan to export weapons like tanks and fighter jets.
The move was due to a territorial dispute over a group of East China Sea islets following the visit to that Islands by the Japanese Prime minister Abe.
Japan’s policy on military security will develop concerns over the stability of the region. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that they had been viewing this matter with great attention.

Video on Japan’s decision to resume arms export