It was announced two days ago. There will still be restrictions, but the blanket ban is gone. This will allow co-development, & (in practice, taking into account the remaining controls), the export of weapons to most developed countries & stable, western-inclined, other states.
Japan relaxes weapons export ban - FT.com
It will be interesting to see which Japanese products & military technologies are competitive. Submarines & warships are certainly possibilities, & perhaps military transport maritime patrol aircraft. Longer-term, it could induce some companies which have excellent technology & production skills, but no current military programmes, to move into dual-use products, & perhaps eventually weapons & systems.
What do y'all think?
Japan relaxes weapons export ban - FT.com
It will be interesting to see which Japanese products & military technologies are competitive. Submarines & warships are certainly possibilities, & perhaps military transport maritime patrol aircraft. Longer-term, it could induce some companies which have excellent technology & production skills, but no current military programmes, to move into dual-use products, & perhaps eventually weapons & systems.
What do y'all think?