Russian media have widely condemned Japan's revision of its arms export rules, warning that the move marks a major shift in Japan's defense policy and poses new risks to regional stability.
The Japanese government officially revised "the three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" and their implementation guidelines on Tuesday to allow overseas sales of weapons, including those with lethal capabilities, despite waves of large-scale protests, local media reported.
The revisions scrap rules that limit Japan's defense equipment exports to five non-combat categories, namely rescue, transport, warning, surveillance, and mine sweeping.
Under the new policy, weapon exports will not require prior parliamentary approval. Instead, the government's National Security Council will make export-related decisions, with the Diet informed only after approval.
The Russian Business Consulting Daily commented that the changes marks a major shift in Japan's defense policy.
Russia's Vzglyad notes that Australia has signed a contract with Japan for its Navy to purchase its first three frigates from Japan.
Meanwhile, RIA Novosti reported that tens of thousands of Japanese citizens have rallied in Tokyo to protest Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's attempts to revise the constitution.
The revisions, approved by the Cabinet and the National Security Council, coincide with the kickoff of the three-day spring festival at the notorious war-linked Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggression.
Takaichi sent a ritual "masakaki" tree offering to the controversial shrine, which honors 14 convicted Class-A Japanese war criminals from World War II.
Russian media slam Japan for revising non-combat arms export policy
