Japan relaxes arms exports ban

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Japan relaxes arms exports ban

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Japan relaxes its self-imposed decades-old ban on military equipment exports.

27 December,2011 01:58 pm

Debt-strapped Japan on Tuesday relaxed its self-imposed decades-old ban on military equipment exports, in a move that will open up new markets to its defence contractors and help the nation squeeze out more out of its defence budget.The governments security council agreed to the relaxing of the ban to allow Japan take part in joint development and production of arms with other countries and supply military equipment for humanitarian missions.Taking into account what we have built up until now in terms of defence and to be in accord with the current international situation of recent years, it has been determined on this basis. With regard to the export of military equipment overseas, the Japanese National Security Council will, in order to fully cooperate with international strategy and humanitarian missions expand upon our military defence program, Japanese chief cabinet secretary Osamu Fujimura said.The rule adopted in 1967 banned sales to communist countries, those involved in international conflicts or subject to United Nations sanctions. It later became a blanket ban on exports and on the development and production of weapons with countries other than the United States, making it impossible for manufacturers to participate in multinational projects.Without straying from the strict guidelines we already have in place, we would like to try, of course with the U.S., with whom we already have an alliance, but also we wish to further our relationship with other countries. That is the stage were at now, Japanese foreign minister Kouichiro Genba said.The relaxing of the rules does not mean Japan will begin openly selling its military products to the world -- exports will be limited to strategic allies like the U.S.Although Japan is the worlds sixth-biggest military spender, it often pays more than double other nations for the same equipment because local export-restricted manufacturers can only fill small orders at a high cost.Removing the ban would stretch its defence purse further as military spending in neighbouring China expands. The current Japanese constitution, which renounces war and the use of force as a means of settling international disputes, has prohibited it from using its forces outside of its national boundaries except as part of a United Nation peace keeping mission.