Japan Cabinet scraps ban on exports of lethal weapons

Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) battle tanks. PIC/AFP

Japan on Tuesday scrapped a ban on lethal weapons exports, a major change in its post-war pacifist policy as the country seeks to build up its arms industry amid worries over Chinese and North Korean aggression.

The approval by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet clears a final set of hurdles for many arms sales, including Japanese-developed warships, combat drones and other weapons.

China criticised the change, but it was welcomed by Japan's defence partners like Australia and attracted interest from Southeast Asia and Europe.

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