Japan¡¯s imminent easing of arms export rules has sparked strong interest from Warsaw to Manila, as U.S. President Donald Trump wavers on security commitments to allies and the wars in Iran and Ukraine strain U.S. weapons supplies.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi¡¯s ruling party approved the changes this week as she tries to invigorate the pacifist country¡¯s military industrial base. Her government will formally adopt the new rules as soon as this month, three Japanese government officials said.
Despite largely isolating itself from global arms markets since World War II, Japan spends enough on its Self-Defense Forces ¡ª $60 billion this year ¡ª to sustain a sizeable defense industry capable of manufacturing advanced systems like submarines and fighter jets.
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