December 13, 2013

The government on December 12 announced its plan to abolish Japan’s three principles banning the country from arms trade.

This was included in an outline of a National Security Strategy, which is scheduled to be approved by the Cabinet on December 17.

The outline stresses the need for Japan to “take part in joint development and production of defense equipment” from the viewpoint of “proactive contribution to peace.”

It proposes that the government “set a clear principle regarding transfer of weapons that complies with new security environments.”