Japan eases weapons export, collaboration rule

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Buenos Aires News.Net
Tuesday 27th December, 2011

TOKYO -- Japan's Cabinet Tuesday decided to ease a four-decade long self-imposed ban on weapons shipments paving the way for Japanese companies to participate in international weapons development and manufacturing projects.

The decision marks the first major revision since the ban was introduced in 1967 and tightened in 1976 to effectively bar all weapon sales.

"Under the new standards, Japan will be able to transport military equipment for missions of peace-building and international cooperation," Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba told reporters.

"Japan can now address international peace cooperation and global challenges such as terrorism and piracy more proactively and effectively," the minister added.

The move ease restrictions comes as Japan strives to reduce defense spending for developing and manufacturing advanced technology ballistic missile defense and jet fighters.

During the decades of restrictions, Japan was granting permission for collaboration on a case by case basis guided by its own security concerns and participation in peacekeeping programme. One of the few exceptions included the missile defence programme with the United States.

Under the new rules Japanese companies will be able to forge technological alliances with foreign companies for weapons development.

They will be allowed to develop and produce arms jointly with the US, European countries and Australia for exports of military equipment for peaceful and humanitarian purposes such as UN peacekeeping operations.

Companies will be allowed to supply defensive equipment, such as helmets and bullet-proof vests, to specified countries in which Japan's Self Defense Forces are deployed.

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Source: http://www.buenosairesnews.net/story/202166245

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