Japanese exporters slowly gear up
Japanese defence manufacturers are slowly appearing on the international stage as companies take advantage of a loosening of the country’s tight regulations regarding military sales.
In December 2011 the Japanese government introduced a first round of eased export restrictions, followed by another in April 2014. In doing so Prime Minister Shinzo Abe overturned the long-standing and self-imposed policy of the Three Principles on Arms Export.
Renamed the Three Principles on Defence Equipment Transfers, these new rules allow greater technical cooperation with overseas companies, as well as direct sales of equipment that contribute to global peace and serve Japanese security interests.
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