Japan loosens arms export rules in break from post-WW2 pacifism

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 on Tuesday marks a milestone in Tokyo's shift away from the pacifism that has characterised its post-war defence policy. It also comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region.Restrictions that limit arms exports to just five categories - rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping - will be lifted.This means Japan can now 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 stay. But authorities say they will allow for exceptions "in special circumstances"."In an increasingly severe security environment, no single country can now protect its own peace and security alone," Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi wrote on X on Tuesday.However, she also said there was "absolutely no change in our commitment to upholding the path and fundamental principles we have followed as a peace-loving nation for over 80 years since the war". "Under the new system, we will strategically promote equipment transfers while making even more rigorous and cautious judgments on whether transfers are permissible," she wrote.