TOKYO, Nov 6 The Japanese government is considering easing export restrictions for the supply of used military equipment, in particular, tanks and missiles, and is also exploring options for such supplies to Asian countries on a gratuitous basis, the Nikkei newspaper writes.
The sources of the publication note that the relevant provisions may be included in the updated National Security Strategy , the text of which should be submitted by the government before the end of this year. Such a move, according to Tokyo, could contribute to the expansion of Japan's military cooperation with other Asian countries against the background of the growth of China's military potential.
If export concessions are approved, they may enter into force by the end of fiscal of the year, which will begin on April 1, 2023 and end on March 31, 2024.
According to a law revised in 2017, Japan can now export used equipment that was in the possession of the country's self-defense forces, if a number of conditions. In particular, this is possible if the goal is to eliminate cataclysms or collect information. At the same time, the names are limited to ships and aircraft that are not used in direct combat.
Japan has agreements on the transfer of military technologies and equipment with six Asian countries, including India, Vietnam and the Philippines. It is not excluded that the transfer of military equipment on a gratuitous basis can be made precisely within the framework of these agreements.