Japan has relaxed decades-old restrictions on its arms exports, clearing the way for it to sell weapons to more than a dozen countries.

The announcement on Tuesday marks a milestone in Tokyo's shift away from the pacifism that has characterised its post-war defence policy. It also comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region.

Restrictions that limit arms exports to just five categories - rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping - will be lifted.

This means Japan can now sell lethal weapons to the 17 countries with which it has defence agreements, including the US and the UK.

A ban on arms sales to countries involved in conflict will stay, although it does not cover those that have defence pacts with Japan. Authorities in Tokyo say they will allow for exceptions "in special circumstances".

China has said it is "seriously concerned" about what it described as Japan's "reckless militarisation".

Japan's defence posture was written into its post-World War Two constitution in 1947. It renounced war as a way to settle international disputes and stated that Japan will never maintain war potential. In 2014, then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe relaxed a blanket ban on all military sales. In 2023, then Prime Minister Fumio Kishida took it a step further to allow exports of finished lethal weapons

See also:

• Japan to Sell More Weapons Abroad, Breaking With Postwar Pacifism • Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reversed limits on arms exports as Japan faces rising threats from China and unpredictability from its main ally, the United States. (New York Times)
• Japan opens door to global arms market with overhaul of defence export rules • Japan's government ends most restrictions on defence exports • Export change comes as wars strain U.S. military production • Warships for Philippines may be among first exports, sources say • China says it is deeply concerned about the change (Reuters)