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Japan mulls altering weapons export ban
The Japanese government is working to replace its decades-long arms export ban with a new policy that allows weapons exports under control.
It’s aiming to formulate the new policy as early as the end of December.
The review comes as the government hopes to keep and enlarge its defense industry’s technology base, as well as enhance cooperation with other countries in weapons development.
The government presented a draft of the revised policy to a working group from the governing Liberal Democratic and New Komeito parties.
The draft continues to ban exports of arms to countries prohibited from receiving them by UN Security Council resolutions.
It also would not allow exports to countries that would harm Japan’s security interests.
However, the draft says the government would approve arms exports to maintain global peace and stability as well as contribute to Japan’s security.
Proper management is a condition of the proposed policy. Any export would be thoroughly investigated and prior government approval for technology transfer to a third country would be required.
Some members of the working group pointed out that the descriptions in the draft are vague and transparency is needed to approve weapons exports. The government says it will take these opinions into account.
