OKYO — Taking the nation another step away from its post-war pacifism, the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe discarded a half-a-century-old ban on the export of weapons and military hardware yesterday, in a move aimed at helping Japan assume a larger regional security role in order to offset China’s growing military might.
The decision, which had been under consideration for years before Mr Abe took office, replaced the self-imposed ban dating back to the late 1960s with new, still-restrictive guidelines that permit the export of weapons only to allies and partners who agree not to sell them to a third nation without Japanese approval.
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This may mean glorious parts kits for Japanese Type 64s:
And type 89s:
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