00:00Japan has moved to further ease restrictions on its defense equipment exports,
00:05signaling a major step away from its long-standing post-war pacifist policy.
00:10The changes will allow a wider range of defense equipment to be exported to partner countries,
00:16relaxing limits that previously restricted sales to non-lethal equipments.
00:22In a post on X announcing the changes on Tuesday,
00:25Japanese Prime Minister Senai Takaichi did not specify which weapons Japan would now be able to sell overseas.
00:32However, local media reported that the changes could include fighter jets, missiles and warships,
00:38which Japan has recently agreed to build for Australia.
00:41At least 17 countries could be eligible to purchase Japanese defense equipment under the new framework.
00:47However, exports to countries involved in active conflict will remain restricted,
00:52unless Tokyo approves exceptions in what it calls special circumstances linked to national security.
00:59The move marks a shift from rules first introduced in 1967,
01:03which limited Japan's military exports largely to non-lethal equipment.
01:08In April, Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Australia
01:11signed a $7 billion deal to build warships for the Australian Navy.
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