A Japanese poll released on Sunday showed that 57.2 percent of respondents oppose lifting the ban on lethal weapons exports, while 37.1 percent said they are in favor.
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 noncombat categories, namely rescue, transport, warning, surveillance, and minesweeping.
Instead, defense equipment will be divided into "weapons" and "non-weapons" categories, based on whether they have lethal or destructive capabilities, Kyodo News reported.
The revision maintains unrestricted exports of non-weapons such as warning and control radar systems, while allowing the export of weapons, including destroyers and missiles, previously prohibited, to countries that have signed agreements with Japan on protecting classified information related to defense equipment and technology.
Kyodo News commented that the changes mark a major shift in defense policy for a country that has touted itself as a "peace-loving nation" under its war-renouncing Constitution since its defeat in World War II.
Most survey respondents oppose lethal weapons exports
One person died and nine remain missing after a pickup truck plunged into a river Saturday night in Huanjiang Maonan autonomous county, Guangxi, local authorities said Sunday.
According to the statement, a report was received at 9:08 pm that a pickup carrying 15 people had fallen into the water while crossing a low-water bridge in a village. By 2 am, rescuers had pulled six people from the river. Five were reported to be out of life-threatening danger, while one was confirmed dead.
The rescue operation involved 65 fire rescue personnel and 12 vehicles. Teams were equipped with sonar detectors, diving gear, and mobile lighting, China Central Television reported.
Searches were coordinated across 12 locations along the river. The bridge where the pickup plunged measures roughly four meters wide by 100 meters long, according to personnel on site, it added.
Local public security, emergency management, firefighting, and maritime affairs departments have been mobilized for the all-out rescue effort. The forward command center designated the core search zone based on rapid water flow conditions and rising water levels caused by heavy rainfall in the area. The incident took place after an employer had organized 28 workers to plant sweet potatoes locally. After work concluded, 13 workers returned independently, while the remaining 15 boarded the pickup truck.
Relevant individuals to the incident have been placed under legal control. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
The Office of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Sunday dispatched a working group to Guangxi to assist with and guide the ongoing search and rescue operations.
Search and rescue underway after pickup truck plunges into river
