Historic shift since World War II: Japan lifts ban on exporting lethal weapons

The Japanese government has announced plans to lift a ban on lethal weapons exports, marking the latest shift away from the country’s post-war pacifist policy, CNBC writes.

As noted, in a statement on social media on Tuesday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said “no single country can now protect its own peace and security alone.”

She added that it was essential that partner countries support each other with defense equipment “in an increasingly severe security environment.”

The policy change paves the way for the country to export warships, missiles, and other weapons.

Opponents to the rule change have said that the policy shift could exacerbate global tensions.

Japan renounced war under Article 9 of its post-World War II pacifist constitution. In 2014, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration reinterpreted Article 9 to allow Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to more actively contribute to international peacekeeping efforts and defend allies.