Japan - Ekhbary News Agency
Japan has announced a significant relaxation of its long-standing arms export restrictions, a move that fundamentally redefines its post-World War Two pacifist defense policy. The decision, revealed on Tuesday, clears the path for Tokyo to sell lethal weapons to more than a dozen nations with which it holds defense agreements, including key allies like the United States and the United Kingdom. This marks a pivotal shift from decades of limiting exports to non-lethal categories, reflecting a strategic response to an increasingly complex and severe security environment in the Indo-Pacific region.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized that while the new system promotes equipment transfers, Japan remains committed to its foundational principles as a peace-loving nation. However, the policy change has drawn sharp reactions, with China expressing "serious concern" over what it terms Japan's "reckless militarization." South Korea’s foreign ministry also urged Japan to uphold its Peace Constitution's spirit. The move coincides with Japan's Self-Defense Forces participating for the first time as combatants in joint war games with the US and the Philippines, further underscoring Tokyo's evolving security posture.
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