Japan Press Weekly

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2013 February 27 - March 5 [POLITICS]

Gov’t excludes F-35s from arms embargo

The government on March 1 decided to include F-35 fighter jets in exceptions to the Three Principles banning arms exports, undermining the pacifism of the Japanese Constitution.

The decision will endorse Japanese corporations’ participation in the joint development of the state-of-the-art stealth F-35 fighter jets, which has been underway with nine countries centering on the United States taking part.

Japan has maintained an arms embargo on conflict-ridden countries and countries to which the UN prohibits arms exports, but Israel in dispute with its neighboring countries is planning to purchase F-35s.

Related past articles:
> Gov’t to approve exports of military aircraft parts [February 5, 2013]