Japan scraps ban on lethal weapons exports in major shift of pacifist policy

japan has officially ended its long-standing ban on exporting lethal weapons. prime minister sanae takaichi announced the policy shift, stating that "no single country can now protect its own peace and security alone." the move marks a significant departure from japan's post-war pacifist stance, which had restricted its defense industry to domestic sales. the change will allow japanese manufacturers to sell fighter jets, missiles, and other combat equipment to other nations.