Japan has relaxed decades-old restrictions on its arms exports, clearing the way for it to sell weapons to more than a dozen countries.
The announcement marks a milestone in Tokyo's shift away from the pacifism that has characterised its post-war defence policy and comes as regional security tensions escalate.
Restrictions that limit arms exports to five categories will be lifted, allowing Japan to sell lethal weapons to the 17 countries with which it has defence agreements, including the US and the UK.
A ban on arms sales to countries involved in conflict will remain, though it provides exceptions for those under defence pacts with Japan.
In a statement on X, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized, 'In an increasingly severe security environment, no single country can now protect its own peace and security alone,' but she reassured the public of Japan's commitment to its pacifist principles.
Japan's Self-Defence Forces are also actively participating in military exercises in the Philippines amid tensions surrounding China's regional maneuvers.
China voiced serious concerns over Japan's military expansion, claiming it symbolizes 'reckless militarisation'. Beijing's foreign ministry has declared vigilance against Japan’s changing military stance.
This shift toward a more militaristic posture follows years of gradual changes to Japan's defense policy, especially under recent leadership, indicating a potential transformation of its constitutional approach to military engagement and security alliances.
