Japan’s cabinet of ministers on Tuesday approved the easing of defense export rules, which will enable the country to ship new generation fighter jets developed together with the United Kingdom and Italy to third countries.
The cabinet’s decision came after the ruling coalition of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its partner, the Komeito party, on March 15 reached an agreement to ease export regulations to allow the sale of the cutting-edge stealth fighter jointly developed with the UK and Italy. Under the new rules, approval will be needed not only from the Japanese government, but also from the cabinet of ministers to export the jets. Moreover, the planes can be transferred only to countries that have signed deals for the supply of military equipment with Japan.
