Japan approves new arms export rules

The Japanese cabinet Tuesday approved new guidelines on arms export, reported Xinhua.

Under the newly adopted principles on the transfer of defence equipment, Japan will prohibit the export of weapons to countries involved in conflicts.

Japan will allow arms exports only if they serve the purpose of contributing to international cooperation and its security interests, according to the new rules.

The rules said that the unstated use and transfer of Japanese equipment to third parties will also be kept in check.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is eager to revise the country's defence and security policy and the new guidelines are one of his major policy goals.

The leader is expected to decide whether to re-interpret the country's war-renouncing Constitution to enable Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defence.

Japan's Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said after a cabinet meeting Tuesday that it will actively facilitate cooperation on defence equipment and technology with other countries, especially with the US.