Japan has overhauled its decades-long defence export rule, allowing the country to sell lethal weapons internationally amid concern over Chinese and North Korean aggression.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government approved the new guideline enabling Japan to sell Japanese-developed warships, combat drones and missiles to 17 approved countries, including Australia.<\/p>\n
It is a move away from Japan’s self-imposed post World War II pacifist policy which some say could increase global tensions and threaten the safety of the Japanese people.<\/p>\n
“Given that the security environment is becoming increasingly challenging, I believe that no country can now safeguard its own peace and security on its own,” Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said.<\/p>\n
“In this context, I believe it is important to have partners who support one another in the area of defence equipment.”<\/p>\n
But she stressed that Japan’s “core principles” and “history” as a pacifist nation remained unchanged.<\/p>\n
China has criticised the policy change with the country’s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun saying he was “deeply concerned”.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said Beijing would “remain highly vigilant and resolutely resist any reckless actions by Japan towards a new form of militarism”.<\/p>\n
Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have strained US weapons production and may countries in Europe and Asia are looking to diversify suppliers as security commitments appear less certain under US President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n
10,000 US troops join Australians for Philippines training exercise<\/a><\/p>\n Troops from the US, Philippines, Australia and Japan unite for the biggest military exercise in “real-world conditions” to ensure security in the Indo-Pacific region. But China has criticised the drill.<\/p>\n For now, Japanese exports would be limited to 17 countries that have signed defence equipment and technology transfer agreements with Japan.\u00a0<\/p>\n The nations must also be approved by the National Security Council, and Japan’s government says it will monitor how the weapons are managed.<\/p>\n The policy change came as Japanese troops descended on the Philippines for a military training exercise featuring live-fire exercises in waters across the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.<\/p>\n